
iss L^ n Co I 



PRESENlliO BY 



A HISTORY 



OF 



Eureka College 



Biographical Sketches and Reminiscences. 



ILLUSTRATED. 



St. Louis : 

CHRISTIAN PUBLISHING COMPANY, 

1894. 






Gift 

Miss Frances S.Hay 
Julv 18,1931 



EXPLANATORY. 

At their annnal reunion, June 16, 1892, the Ahimni 
Association of Eureka College decided to publish a 
history of their Alma Mater. The work was placed 
in charge of a committee, consisting of Benjamin J. 
Radford, Clara S. Davidson, Carl Johann, Oliver W. 
Stewart, with Elmira J. Dickinson as chairman. 

The chairman of the committee was chosen 
editor of the book. Asa S. Fisher, the first teacher 
of the school that developed into Eureka College, 
who was associated with it nearly forty years, and 
who is the only survivor of those who were promi- 
nent in starting the enterprise, was appointed histor- 
ian for the period extending from the beginning of 
it to the time of his leaving Eureka in 1886. From 
that time to the date of publication, Carl Johann was 
more fully associated with all the interests of the 
institution than any other person, and was therefore 
chosen to prepare the record of that period. 

Faithful effort has been made to procure photo- 
graphs of all who have been regular teachers in the 

(3) 



4 EXPLAXATOBY. 

institution, with biographical sketches of them; and, 
although success in this has not been complete, it 
has been fairly good. 

It was hoped that the work might be brought out 
by Commencement, 1893, and the committee strove 
hard to do this; but in the preparation difficulties 
were encountered that made it quite impossible ex- 
cept at the sacrifice of merit. Therefore longer time 
has been taken and better work done. 

Hoping that the volume may receive a cordial wel- 
come from the present friends of the college, and be 
a means of winning for it many others, without fur- 
ther preface it is offered to its readers. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



HISTORICAL. 

CHAPTER I. 

Walnut Grove— The Old Spring— The "Burgoo"— Elder John T. Jones Opens 
a School— Walnut Grove Seminary— The Great Henderson Meeting- 
School Work Resumed— Walnut Grove Academy — Elder John Lindsey— 
Walnut Grove Literary Institute— Philosophical and Chemical Apparatus 
—An Appeal to the Missionary Convention. 13 

CHAPTER II. 

Cholera Epidemic— Resignation of Elder Lindsey— Professor John H. Neville 
—The Abingdon Missionary Convention— Elders Lindsey and Davenport 
Appointed Canvassers— The Postoftlce— The First Bequest— Organization 
of the Board of Education— Session of 1853-4— Report from the Board of 
Education— Received but not Adopted. -.--.. 29 

CHAPTER III. 

The Music Department— The College Charier— First Session Under the Char- 
ter—The College Campus— Endowment Fund— A College Building Erected 
—Failure of the Endowment— Prof. C. L. Loos Accepts the Presideucj'— 
Resignation of President Loos— Resignation of Prof. Neville— B. W. 
Johnson— Periclesian Society— Mathesian Society— Excelsior Society— 
A Contraction and Its Cause— The First Graduate— Faculty of 1860-1. 44 

CHAPTER lY. 

The First Secretary— The First Treasurer— John Darst— Attitude in the 
Civil War— George Callender— B. W. Johnson— J. M. Allen— The College 
Aid Fund— H. O. Newcomb— H. W. Everest— The Endowment— A. G. 
Ewing— The Chapel— The $12,000 Loan— Resignation of President Everest 
—A. M. Weston- B. J. Radford. 60 

CHAPTER V. 

H. W. Everest Again President— The Boarding-House Company— Apparatus 
Replenished— Faculty of 1881-2— Endowment— Abingdon College Consoli- 
dated with Eureka College— The Alumni et Alumna?. . . - 74 
(5) 



6 TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VI. 

Union of Abingdon College with Eureka College— The Mission Tabernacle- 
Faculty for 1885-6— Professor A. S. Fisher— Session of 1886-7— Lida's 
Wood. 82 

CHAPTER VII. 

Burgess Memorial Hall— Session of 1892 3— Session of l893-i— The Present 
Condition and Needs of Eureka College. 92 



BIOGEAPHICAL. 

CHAPTER I. 

PRESIDENTS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. 

John T. Jones— Ben Major— Elijah Dickinson— Albert G. Ewing — John 
Darst. 109 

CHAPTER II. 

TEACHERS FROM 1848 TO 18G0. 

A. S. Fisher— Sue Jones Grant— John Lindsey— Sarah Fisher Conover- Caro- 
line Neville Pearre— Elmira J Dickinson— O. A. Burgess— R. A. Conover 
— C. L. Loos— George Callender— J. M. Allen— B. W. Johnson— Richard 
H. Johnson— J. H. Rowell— Mary Clark Hawk. - . . . ^34 

CHAPTER III. 

TEACHERS FROM 1860 TO 1880. 

H. W. Everest-H. O. Newcomb— B. J. Radford— A. M. Weston— O. P. Hay— 
D. M. Blair— James Kirk— Carl Johann— E. W. Dickinson— A. J. Young- 
blood. 165 

CHAPTER IV. 

TEACHERS FROM 1880 TO 1894. 

N. L. Richmond— J. V. Coombs— F. M. Bruner— Henry Lane Bruner— W. S. 
Errett— S. E. Meek— H. N. Herrick— G. W. Hootman— James Chalmers— 
Sina Stickel Thomas— H. A. Minassian— R. E. Conklin— B. C. Deweese— 
J. M. Atwater— R. E. Hieronymus. 185 

CHAPTER V. 

MUSIC AND ART TEACHERS. 

Susie Smith Johnson— Belle .Johnson Allen— Emma Smith DeVoe— Eugene 
Plowe— Eva M. Wright— Ella F. Taylor— Emma E. Page— W. W. Lauder— 
Mina Vandervoort Miller— J. W. Metcalf— Charles W. Campbell— Sarah 
Garrett Humphrey— Clara Hatch Stevens— May Irene Burrows— Jessie 
Bruner Minassian. 202 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



REMINISCENCES. 

Keniiniscences of Eureka. Mrs. Sue E. Grant. ----- 217 

Old Academy Days in Walnut Grove. B. W. Johnson. - - - - 226 
Transitory Reminiscences of Walnut Grove and Eureka — 1851-1855. 

J. H. Pickrell. 232 

Three Reminiscences. B. J. Radford. 242 

From a Student of 1855 and 1858. Henry A. Ford. 248 

Experiences of a Ministerial Student. W. F. Richardson. - - - 257 

Story of a Newspaper Man. S. F. Davidson. 264 

Bright Memories. Ella Myers Huffman. - - 272 

Some Recent Reminiscences. Ella Seass Stewart. - - - - 281 

My Memories. J. Harvey Rowell. 287 



MISCELLANEOUS. 

The Church at Eureka. 293 

Amos Sutton Hayden. 298 

John Garland Waggoner. 300 

William H. Cannon. 308 

Elder H. D. Palmer. 309 

Mrs. O. A. Burgess. 311 

Alumni Reunion. J. B. Radford. 314 

Historical Sketch of Abingdon College. J. C. Reynolds. - - - - 322 

Abingdon College As I Saw It. J. Hopwood. 326 

Recollections of Abingdon College. J. H. Garrison. ... - 33$ 

The College Bell. A. S. Fisher. 343 

To Alma Mater. B. J. Radford. 345 

Present Board of Trustees. . . - - 346 

Officers of Board of Trustees. 346 

Committees of the Board. ---------- 346 

Teachers of Eureka College. - - 347 

The Alumni. . . - 349 



DIVISIONS. 



HISTORICAL. 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 
REMINISCENCES. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 



HISTORICAL 



History of Eureka College. 



CHAPTER I. 

Walnut Grove— The Old Spring— The "Burgoo "—Elder John 
T. Jones Opens a School — Walnut Grove Seminary — The' 
Great Henderson Meeting — School Work Resumed — Walnut 
Grove Academy — Elder John Lindsey — Walnut Grove Lit- 
erary Institute — Philosophical and Chemical Apparatus — An 
Appeal to the Missionary Convention. 

WALNUT GROVE. 

The community known as Walnut Grove, Wood- 
ford county, Illinois, had its origin in the early 
20's, while Central Illinois was practically a vast 
wilderness. It was rapidly promoted by emi- 
grants from the adjoining States, most of them 
hailing from Old Kentucky^ bringing with them 
characteristics of that noble people, and soon the 
community became widely and favorably known 
for its hospitality and other social distinctions. 

THE OLD SPRING. 

At or near the head of a ravine, and not forty 
rods south of the present site of Eureka College, 

the early pioneers found a sparkling fountain 

(13) 



14 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

gurgling up through broken strata and supplying 
the water of a rill winding its way over the roots 
and pebbles, leaves, twigs and other impediments 
to the creek near by. An excavation was here 
made which was walled up with fragments of 
rocks found in the vicinity, and the origin of the 
little rill soon came to be known as " The Spring." 
Here pedestrians and teamsters, those on horse- 
back and others, often halted to drink of the 
limpid water and to rest beneath the cool shade 
of the primeval forest. Near the spring, also the 
early pioneers were wont to assemble beneath 
the noble forest trees in religious convocations, for 
the Fourth of July celebrations and for other pur- 
poses. 

But the "Old Spring" is no longer a prominent 
feature of Walnut Grove. Since cultivated fields 
and pastures have occupied the tracts formerly 
covered by dense forests and the luxuriant growth 
of the wild meadows of the prairies, the strata 
that formerly produced the famous little fountain 
have been so far modified by the evaporating 
power of the sun and other causes, that the spark- 
ling liquid no longer comes forth, and the famous 
" Old Spring " exists only in history. 

THE " BURGOO." 

The early inhabitants of Walnut Grove were 
free from all caste distinction. They all moved 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 15 

on the same social plane. Religiously, they were 
generally communicants of the Christian Church, 
and habitually addressed one another as brother 
or sister. Annually they convened near the " Old 
Spring " to enjoy the rites of a popular feast 
known in the locality as the " Burgoo."* It was 
a feast peculiar to that people ; was introduced by 
Elder John T. Jones, formerly from Pennsyl- 
vania, and was held in the springtime, or early 
summer, when yoang squirrels were abundant. 

When all the surroundings appeared propitious, 
some of the recognized leaders would proclaim a 
day for the feast, when a general invitation would 
be circulated. 

In the morning of the appointed day, the old men 
and women, the young maidens and children would 
start for the " Spring," some going on foot, some on 
horseback, and others in wagons, all aiming to 
reach the place of rendezvous by nine o'clock of 
the forenoon. 

The young men and experts at hunting would 
traverse the forests in search of suitable game for 
the festival. Squirrels being numerous, the hunt- 
ers invariably secured an abundance on their way 
to the " Spring." 

It was always assumed that Elder Elijah Dick- 
inson — they called him " Uncle 'Lijah " — would 

*Probably a corruption of the French word Bagout, meaning 
a meat stew. 



16 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

provide kettles and the necessary condiments. 
The good old patriarch was sure to be at the place 
of rendezvous at an early hour, when he would 
diligently proceed to kindle the needed fire, pro- 
vide for the suspension of his kettles and adjust 
other essential preliminaries before the arrival of 
the bouyant hunters with their respective trophies 
of success. 

On arriving with their game, the exulting and 
jubilant hunters, while narrating their many and 
assumed important feats of the morning raid, 
would speedily and neatly prepare the same for 
cooking, and turn it over to Uncle 'Lijah, who, 
assisted by some good sisters, would quietly pro- 
ceed to complete preparations for the social 
dinner. 

While these preparations were in progress, all 
others were at liberty to spend the hours in any 
way most congenial to their respective tastes. The 
fathers and mothers might be seen in groups, on 
chairs and other improvised seats, in shady nooks, 
discussing economic questions pertaining to the 
future improvements of the new country. Some of 
the young men engaged in sundry athletic sports, 
running foot races, jumping and wrestling. Oth- 
ers of the young people might be seen congregated 
beneath the boughs of the noble forest trees, 
" chasing dull care away " by gleeful songs and 
romping plays. 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 17 

Meanwhile Uncle 'Lijab and his volunteer helps 
kept diligent watch over the contents of the boiling- 
kettles, seasoning them from time to time with 
cayenne pepper and other condiments, until the 
whole was brought to a degree of palatable per- 
fection assumed by the manager to be good and 
very good. Although the process was somewhat 
tedious, yet the sun would only have passed the 
noon-day meridian ere Uncle 'Lijah v/ould an- 
nounce "Dinner ready." At this announcement, 
conversations and all sports would promptly be 
suspended ; and in a quiet, orderly manner all 
would proceed to examine their respective baskets 
and boxes for bowls, spoons, plates, knives and 
forks and bread. Uncle 'Lijah, with dipper in 
hand, stood guard over the savory contents of his 
capacious kettles, and in his accustomed pleasant 
mood would bountifully supply every one with 
soup or meat as bowl or plate would be presented. 

The social dinner of so many courses, enlivened 
by anecdote, story-telling, wit and repartee, being 
over, conversations, discussions, athletic sports 
and romping plays would be resumed and contin- 
ued until the rapidly lengthening shadows " told 
the hour for retiring," when all would depart for 
their respective homes, delighted with the adven- 
tures of the day. 
2 



18 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

ELDER JOHN T. JONES OPENS A SCHOOL. 

About the year 1847, Elder B. Major, E. B. 
Myers, Elder Wm. Davenport, David Deweese, A. 
M. Myers, B. J. Radford, Sr., Elder E. Dickinson, 
Elder John T. Jones, Wm. P. Atterberry and R. M. 
Clark were the prominent and leading citizens of 
the community, the major part of them immigrants 
from Kentucky, and all were members of the 
Christian Church. They were all men of advanced 
views on the subject of education, and recognized 
the establishment of schools of a high order an 
essential in the great work of developing the 
resources of the Prairie State. 

Elder John T. Jones, an evangelist of distinc- 
tion in Central Illinois, was induced to open a 
select school for the education of girls, in the 
autumn of 1847, upon his own premises, where 
now is the residence of Elder W. H. Boles, within 
a few hundred yards of the present site of Eureka 
College. In this school his wife — known in the 
community as " Aunt Emily " — a woman of supe- 
rior education for that time, and his daughter, 
Miss Susan E. Jones, who was educated at Jack- 
sonville, Illinois, were the principal teachers. 

The school was liberally patronized, and the 
outlook for the near future was very flattering. 
But an unforeseen calamity blasted the buoyant 
hopes of the projectors. In the winter of 1847-8, 




1 W. p. Atteberry. 

2 David Deweese. 

3 B. J. Kadford, Sr. 

4 R. M. Clark. 



5 E. B. Mvers. 

6 A. M. Jlyers. 

7 H. D. Palmer. 

8 Wm. Davenport. 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 19 

a malignant form of the measles became epidemic 
in the community. Many of the students suffered 
from attacks of the disease. In the panic ensuing 
the institution was suspended, the students return- 
ing to their several homes. The community was 
greatly scourged and the school was never revived. 

WALNUT GROVE SEMHSTART. 

In August, 1848, A. S. Fisher, a student from 
Bethany College, appeared in the community and 
made application for a school, proposing to teach 
all the common English branches, the higher 
mathematics, natural philosoph}^, chemistry, rhet- 
oric, logic, etc., etc. He was employed to teach a 
school for ten months, Elder B. Major, E. B. 
Myers, Elder E. Dickinson, B. J. Radford, Sr., and 
others guaranteeing his salary. On the tenth day 
of September, 1848, the school was opened in a 
small frame building, modestly provided with 
seats, desks and other furniture, and located near 
the northeast corner of the present Eureka Ceme- 
tery. 

THE GREAT HENDERSON MEETING. 

Soon after the opening of the school. Elder D. P. 
Henderson, an eminent Christian evangelist from 
Jacksonville, Illinois, commenced a series of meet- 
ings in the community, which was protracted for 



20 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

many days, producing a wonderful revival among 
the inhabitants of Walnut Grove. 

There had been at AYalnut Grove a Church of 
Christ for many years, one having been organized 
in the early 30's. In this church the widely-known 
and popular Christian evangelist, Elder William 
Davenport, had, his membership. 

Elder Davenport, James Robeson of Panther 
Creek, A. Pealer of White Oak Grove, James A. 
Lindsey of Tazewell county, and other j)ioneer 
Christian j)i'eachers, had long been teaching the 
people the true doctrine of the Bible. Elder H. D. 
Palmer, the aged patriarch of Marshall county, had 
often, by his earnest exhortations from the pulpit, 
and by his exemplary course when mingling with 
the people in their daily avocations, urged them to 
forsake sinful ways and unite with the Christian 
army. And the great Alexander Campbell, influ- 
enced by his knowledge as to the cherished design 
of Elder B. Major and others to establish a seat of 
learning in Walnut Grove, had made that com- 
munity a prominent feature in more than one of 
his western tours. 

Whatever may have been the contributory 
causes during the protracted effort the membership 
of the Church of Christ at Walnut Grove was in- 
creased by nearly one hundred additions. The 
occasion was long remembered and referred to as 
"77^6 g?~eat Henderson meeting of iSJi^S^ 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 21 

SCHOOL WORK RESUMED. 

Duiino; the progress of the protracted meeting, 
the school work had been suspended. At the ter- 
mination of the meeting the work was resumed, 
and continued with but slight interruption to the 
end of the session, July 4th, 1849. 

Elder Major aud his coadjutors, in an interview 
with the young teacher, urged him to continue 
with them and conduct the school another session. 
Upon the following conditions he promised to com- 
ply witli the request: 

1. That an addition properly furnished with seats, desks, 
and other appliances be made to the school-house. 

2. That he be permitted to emploj' an assistant to aid him in 
the primar}' teaching. 

3. That adequate provision he made for boarding all students 
from other localities. 

4. That he be allowed the net income from tuition fees as his 
salary. 

The preliminaries for the ensuing year having 
been arranged, the contracting parties proceeded 
diligently to prepare for the fulfillment of their 
respective parts of the agreement, each party pro- 
viding " ways and means " of its own, " without let 
or hindrance " from the other. 

The said A. S. Fisher had been negotiating with 
a certain party of Marshall county concerning the 
formation of a co-partnership wherein the relation 
of the parties is expressed by the correlative 
terms, husband and wife. The pending negotia- 



22 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

tions having resulted in a mutual agreement, 7^ati- 
fications were exchanged at the residence of Elder 
H. D. Palmer, on the 25th day of July, 1849. 

During the summer of 1849, the first printed 
announcement of the school was put in circulation. 
It read as follows : 

WALNUT GROVE SEMINARY, 

The second session of this Institution will commence on the 
First Monday of September next. The directors hope to have 
their new building completed, and ample boarding accommoda- 
tions will be provided for all students attending the Seminary 
from other localities. 

The course of instruction will include Reading, Penmanship, 
Arithmetic, Geography, Enghsh Grammar, History, Algebra, 
Geometry, Trigonometry, Surveying, Rhetoric, Logic, English 
Composition, Chemistry and Natural Philosophy. 



The academic year will close on the 4th day of July, 1850. 
The price of tuition will range from eight to fifteen dollars per 
session, according to the branches studied. Those attending 
from other localities can obtain boarding, fuel and lights in- 
cluded, at from one dollar to one dollar and twenty-five cents 
per week. 

SITUATION. 

The Walnut Grove Seminary is located in Walnut Grove, 
Woodford County, Illinois, about twenty miles east of Peoria. 
For health of climate, beautiful scenery, intelligence and mor- 
ality among the people, the community is not surpassed by any 
locality of the State. A. S. Fisher, Principal. 

E. B. Myers, ] 
E. Dickinson, \ Directors. 
R. Bard, J 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 23 

The Principal emplo3^ed. Miss Sue E. Jones, a 
graduate from Jacksonville and a young lady of 
superior ability and tact as a teacher, to assist him 
in conducting the primary classes. The capacity 
of the school had been increased, and consisted 
of two rooms well supplied with the school furni- 
ture of that time — "home-made" blackboards, 
seats and desks. 

In accordance with the printed circular, the 
second session was opened on the first Monday of 
September, The number of students in attendance 
was very encouraging, and the weekly applica- 
tions for admittance soon impressed Elder Major 
and others that additional room would be requisite 
in the near future. Accordingly, in the autumn 
of 1849 the promoters of the school were called 
together for the purpose of considering the erec- 
tion of a more commodious building. 

At this meeting Elder Major insisted that an 
effort should be made to erect a two story brick 
building at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars. 
Many of those present expressed very grave doubts 
as to the probability of raising a sum of money 
so large. Mr. Major listened patiently to the dis- 
cussion, but kept silent till called out. Some one 
said, " Brother Major, let us hear from you." 
"Brother Major!" "Brother Major!" was earn- 
estly called out from various parts of the audi- 
ence. In response Mr. Major said, "Brethren, 



24 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

this is a matter very dear to my heart. You all 
know that I have long entertained the hope of wit- 
nessing an institution of high order established in 
our midst. Perhaps I am too sanguine, but I 
believe we can raise the money." " Tell us how, 
Brother Major," said some one, "what is your 
plan?" Said he, "I'll tell you." After a pause 
he continued, " Let Brother David Deweese, 
Brother E. B. Myers and myself open the sub- 
scription, each writing |150 opposite his name, 
and appoint Brother William Davenport to act as 
our solicitor to canvass this community and others 
near us." Messrs. Myers and Deweese, being both 
present, readily agreed to the proposition. Elder 
Davenport was appointed solicitor, who, by his 
earnest and eloquent efforts, obtained the requisite 
amount of pledges in a few weeks. 

WALNUT GROVE ACADEMY. 

In December, 1849, the school was incorporated 
as Walnut Grove Academy, under the manage- 
ment of twelve trustees — Elder John T. Jones being 
president, and A. S. Fisher, secretary. 

The following interview between Elder B. Major, 
the recognized founder of Eureka College, and A. 
S. Fisher, who spent thirty-eight years as a teacher 
and earnest promoter of that institution, may serve 
to indicate that the development of the College 
from the humble seminary of 1849 was not a for- 




l^^E-^c-Aiierw 




TAiE" OLD ACf riAlfr Aiouje-T 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 25 

tuitous accident, but was the legitimate outgrowth 
of an ideal entertained by the original j^romoters. 
The interview was in the early spring of 1850. 

The two brethren were walking along the road 
leading eastward from the Seminary building, 
and, as usual, conversation was in relation to the 
school. As they neared the edge of the Grove, at 
the suggestion of Elder Major they stopped and 
turned about, facing the gentle elevation on 
which Walnut Grove Academy was subsequently 
erected — the lot just west of the one on which the 
gentlemen's boarding halls now stand. It was 
then dense woods. Elder Major remarked, " On 
that rise we intend to build a college, and we want 
you to be the president." Mr. Fisher replied, " I 
am not ambitious for such a position, and possibly 
have not the requisite qualitications, but I am 
strongly in sympathy with the enterprise, and to 
the extent of my power will aid the brethren to 
push forward the noble work they have so gen- 
erously undertaken. I am without pecuniary 
wealth ; but if the brethren of the Grove will fur- 
nish money to erect the necessary buildings, to 
provide suitable furniture, a library, etc., I will 
utilize my humble ability as an organizer and 
instructor to assist in making the pending enter- 
prise successful." Said Elder Major, "We will 
most certainly succeed, and you shall always hold 
a prominent place on the Board of Instruction." 



26 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

ELDER JOHN LINDSEY. 

To provide for the accommodation of students 
wishing to study the ancient classics of Greece 
and Rome, Elder John Lindsey, a young evan- 
gelist of great promise, a graduate of Bethany Col- 
lege — class of '48 — was elected a member of the 
Board of Instruction. He accepted the appoint- 
men.t, and promptly appeared in September, 1850, 
to assist in the school under its new name. 

The new building was not completed till the fol- 
lowing December. In the meantime the Seminary 
building was utilized as a substitute. 

WALNUT GROVE LITERARY INSTITUTE. 

While waiting for the completion of the new 
building, a literary society was organized by the 
students, which they christened " Walnut Grove 
Literary Institute." The society held weekly ses- 
sions, at which the regular performances were 
reading original essays, declamations, orations, 
debates and miscellaneous business. It was a 
useful and important auxiliary of the Academy. 
Many years after it was incorj^orated as The 
Edmund Burke Society. 

It has had an uninterrupted existence since its 
first organization, although soon after the Academy 
was merged into Eureka College the original name 
was dropped for that of The Edmund Burke Soci- 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 27 

ety. Under its auspices hundreds of students have 
received a training in the rules of parliamentary 
usage that has contributed largely to make them 
valuable citizens in the many localities where they 
have respectively located since leaving their Alma 
Mater. 

Under the supervision and fostering care of the 
college authorities it has ever been an important 
and useful organ of the general college work. 

PHILOSOPHICAL AND CHEMICAL APPARATUS. 

During the session of 1850-1, the Board of Trus- 
tees made an appropriation for the purchase of 
apparatus needed by the teachers in illustrating 
and demonstrating the laws of Physical Science. 

The money was transmitted to Professor Ray, of 
Cincinnati, Ohio, who was apj)ointed a special 
agent, and instructed to select, purchase and 
forward to Peoria such apparatus as he might 
deem most useful to the school. He made a most 
excellent selection, which he forwarded to Peoria 
during the summer vacation of 1851, It was there 
received by A. S. Fisher, conveyed by wagon to 
the Academy, unpacked, tested, and placed in the 
apparatus room for future use. 

AN APPEAL TO THE MISSIONARY CONVENTION. 

The Annual Missionary Convention of the 
Church of Christ in Illinois for 1851 was held in 



28 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

Walnut Grove. The Board of Trustees of the 
Academy explained to that convention the nature 
and design of their incorporation ; that they were 
endeavoring to establish an institution of learn- 
ing where the young people of both sexes might 
receive the advantages of a liberal education 
under the care and influence of Christian teachers, 
entirely free from all sectarian prejudices. 

While the Convention, informally, were quite 
liberal in expressing their hearty approval of the 
movement, and, in many ways, commended the 
work of the original promoters, and strongly urged 
the Tru;::ees to persevere in their work, yet they 
neglected to make any appropriation to aid in the 
future development. There was no formal refusal 
to endorse the Academy and to give it ^'sicbstan- 
tial aid and comfort^''^ but immediate action was 
postponed by the appointment of a committee on 
Education, with instructions to report at the next 
annual convention, to be held at Abingdon. 



CHAPTER II. 

Cholera Epidemic— Resignation of Elder Lindsey — Professor 
John H. Neville — The Abingdon Missionary Convention — 
Elders Lindsey and Davenport Appointed Canvassers — The 
Postoffice— The First Bequest — Organization of the Board of 
Education — Session of 1853-4 — Report from the Board of Edu- 
cation — Received but not Adopted. 

CHOLERA EPIDEMIC. 

Near the close of the fourth session, the institu- 
tion was interrupted by the sudden appearance of 
the Asiatic cholera in the communit3^ One of the 
victims was Elder B. Major, President of the Board 
of Trustees. In his death the academy suffered 
the loss of its most zealous promoter, the church 
its leading elder and the community its most influ- 
ential citizen. 

Soon after his death, at a call meeting of the 
Board, the following preamble and resolutions were 
unanimously adopted: 

Whereas, in the dispensation of Divine Providence, it has 
pleased tlie Heavenly Father to remove from among us our be- 
loved president, the founder of this institution, Elder Ben Major, 
therefore, 

Be it Resolved by the Board of Trustees of Walnut Grove 
Academy, that in the death of Bro. Ben Major we>recognize the 
loss of an able counselor and faithful presiding officer, that we 
deeply sympathize with his affectionate consort and family in 

(29) 



30 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

their sudden and sorrowful bereavement, and with the whole 
community in their irreparable loss. 

Resolved, That this preamble and these resolutions be spread 
upon our record, and that a copy of them be delivered to Sister 
Major, w'idow of the deceased. 

E. Dickinson, President. 

A. S. Fisher, Secretar3\ 

Upon the death of Elder Major, Elder E. Dick- 
inson was unanimously elected president of the 
corporation, and for ten eventful years, up to 
the time of his death without an opposing vote, he 
was annually re-elected. He was a man of incor- 
ruptible integrity, a devoted friend of the school, a 
beloved officer of the church and an honorable citi- 
zen of the community. 

The epidemic was of short duration, but the 
students became greatly alarmed and promptly 
departed for their respective homes. No effort was 
made to recall them, and thus the session was 
abruptly closed about one month before the stipu- 
lated time, being the only serious interruption to 
the institution from its first organization, in 1848. 

EESIGNATION OF ELDER LINDSEY. 

During the summer of 1852, soon after the chol- 
era crisis, it became known that Elder Lindsey con- 
templated resigning his place on the Board of 
Instruction. Notwithstanding the managers of the 
school earnestly labored to prevent such a step, 
fearing it would be disastrous, yet the resignation 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 31 

was placed at the disposal of the Trustees, who 
very reluctantly accepted it, knowing his ability 
as an instructor and his great intluence over the 
students. 

Professor John H. Neville, a graduate of Bethany 
College, class of '49, a young man of excellent lit- 
erary attainments, was elected to fill the vacancy. 
He accepted the appointment, with the proviso 
that he should be professor of higher mathematics 
and the Greek and Latin languages. 

At the opening of the session in September, 1852, 
Elder Lindsey assembled with the students to bid 
them a formal farewell as one of their teachers, 
and, in a brief way, alluded to the cholera episode 
of the previous session. He spoke very tenderly 
of the great loss sustained by the academy in 
the death of the lamented Elder Major, and to the 
vacant place among the students created by the 
death of Joseph Davenport, a young nephew of 
Elder Major. Said Joseph was a young man of 
superior natural ability. He was a great favorite 
in the community, and was a recognized leader 
among his fellow-students. He was modest, a hard 
student and an earnest promoter of any exercise 
among his fellow-students that seemed to be for the 
general good. He was, therefore, a prominent 
worker in the Walnut Grove Literary Institute. 
But " death is no respecter of persons." He was 
stricken down by the dread disease, notwith- 



32 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

Standing the earnest efforts of school-fellows and 
other friends to save his young life. 

PROFESSOR JOHISr H. NEVILLE. 

Professor Neville assumed his place in the acad- 
emy as the successor of Elder John Lindsey, and 
soon became a popular teacher. All classes 
allotted to his management were conducted into 
the labyrinths of literature in a way that devel- 
oped within his students an insatiable desire for 
thorough investigation, and accordingly all his 
pupils became ardent workers, and ambitious to 
excel as ^Drolicients. He had an inoffensive way 
of impressing all his classes that a master mind 
was at the helm, and that their success and their 
best interests required an unchallenged and cheer- 
ful compliance with all his requisitions as their 
teacher. 

THE ABINGDON MISSIONARY CONVENTION. 

In September, 1852, the Missionary Society of the 
Church of Christ in Illinois assembled at Abing- 
don. The Committee on Education, appointed at 
the Convention in Walnut Grove, in 1851, submit- 
ted a report recommending the appointment of an 
Educational Board to prepare a plan of operation 
and report to the next convention. The report 
was adopted, and Elder William Davenport, Elder 
John Lindsey, A. S. Fisher, Elder George W. 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 33 

Minier, Elder Jonathan Atkinson, Elder T. J. Mat- 
lock and Elder A. J. Kane were appointed said 
committee. 

All who are acquainted with the early history of 
the Reformation urged by A. Campbell and others, 
know that the original promoters were obliged to 
depend very largely for evangelists upon men pos- 
sessing only limited academical training; and, 
although those were generally men of undoubted 
Christian integrity, very zealous in the Master's 
work and very successful in attacks upon the 
strongholds of infidelity and sectarianism, yet they 
were often made to feel the want of that prepara- 
tion secured only by extended training, in early 
life, at institutions under the control of cultured 
men. Although many schools of learning were 
then in existence, yet not one of them was con- 
ducted by a faculty acknowledging the important 
principles of the current Reformation. 

It was the want of such an institution that led 
to the organization of Bethany College, in Virginia. 
And the Christian congregations of Illinois thought 
the work in which they were engaged required a 
school of high order in their own State. 

The congregation at Walnut Grove, Woodford 

county, having organized a school in accordance 

with what they understood to be the general desire 

of the congregations in the State, were anxious for 

a concentration of eifort to assist in pushing for- 
3 



34 HI8T0EY OF EUEEKA COLLEGE. 

ward their enterprise to a state of more general 
usefulness. The subject was called up at the 
Abingdon Convention, subsequent to the creation 
of the Educational Board, by Elder D. P. Hender- 
son, of Jacksonville, in the following preamble and 
resolution, which were adopted : 

Whereas, Walnut Grove Academ\', now under the control of 
a Board of Trustees, organized under the general law of Illinois, 
which has been in successful operation for the last four j-ears, 
taught by A. S. Fisher, Principal of the depai'tinent of mathe- 
matics, and John Lindsey, Principal of languages; and which is 
the only regularly organized Institution of learning controlled by 
our brethren in the State ; and Whereas said institution proposes 
to educate young men for the ministry " free of tuition fees," 

Therefore, Eesolved, that we commend to our brethren in Illi- 
nois this institution, and urge upon them to foster it by sending 
their sons and daughters, and donating to its library and appar- 
ratus, andlraising such means as may enable the Trustees to place 
it upon a sure and permanent basis, and be recognized a^the 
Institution for the brethren of this State. 

ELDERS LINDSEY AND DAVENPORT APPOINTED 
CANVASSERS. 

Encouraged by the foregoing action of the Abing- 
don Convention, the Trustees of Walnut Grove 
Academy appointed Elders John Lindsey and 
William Davenport solicitors to canvass various 
localities and explain to the people of the congre- 
gations the nature of the school at Walnut Grove, 
the. action of the Missionary Convention in relation 
to it, and solicit the patronage and funds recom- 
•mended in the Abing-don endorsement. 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 35 

Many localities were visited by the two repre- 
sentatives of the academy, and they were liberally 
rewarded by promises of future patronage and by 
donations in money, and pledges for the future, as 
indicated by the catalogue of students for the ses- 
sion of 1852-3, and by the treasurer's report of 
those years. Students were in attendance from 
more than twenty localities within the State, and 
some from the adjacent States of Indiana and 
Missouri. 

THE POSTOrnCE. 

At the origin of the school, and for three or four 
subsequent years, the nearest postoffice was 
Washington, in Tazewell county, eight miles 
away. Friends of the institution, and especially 
students in attendance from other localities, were 
greatly annoyed by the consequent tardy mail 
service. The Board of Trustees recognized the 
situation and realized that the evil was destined 
soon to become a serious obstacle in the develop- 
ment of many inportant interests. But an ade- 
quate remedy was not under their immediate con- 
trol. It could only be effected through officials of 
the general Government. The work was inaugu- 
rated, however. The officials at the nearest post- 
offices were interviewed, and through them corre- 
spondence was opened up with parties at Wash- 
ington, D. C. As the result, a postoffice was 



36 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

established near the academy, at the residence of 
Professor A. S. Fisher, wlio was the first post- 
master. For a time the office was supplied weekly 
from Metamora. 

THE FIEST BEQUEST.. 

The first bequest to this institution was made 
by Jonathan Tressler, a native of Pennsylvania, 
who came to Walnut Grove early in 1838. He was 
a carpenter, a young man of quiet ways, warm heart 
and earnest life, and soon became identified with 
the community in all benevolent, educational and 
Christian work. He had but little means, but 
steadily plied his trade, and gradually accumu- 
lated a fair amount of property. 

He was a devoted friend of the academy from 
its beginning. The only bequest it ever received 
was from him. It consisted of a quarter section of 
land about three miles northeast of Eureka, and 
eighty acres directly west and southwest of the 
cemetery. 

He died February 4, 1853, and his body rests 
near the center of Eureka cemetery. 

He it was that built the little frame School- 
house and The Seminary pictured in this volume ; 
also the academy building, and " The Old Meeting 
House," and nearly all the farm houses, barns, etc., 
that were built in the community about that time. 



HISTOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 37 

ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 

As provided in a resolution by the Abingdon 
Missionary Convention in September, 1852, the 
Board of Education a-esembled in the city of 
Springfield on the 28th day of December, 1852, the 
following members being present : William Dav- 
enport, A. J. Kane, Geo. W. Minier, A. S. Fisher. 

Elder William Davenport was appointed tem- 
porary chairman, and Elder Geo. W. Minier secre- 
tary. The following preamble and resolutions were 
adopted : 

Whereas, our Lord and Saviour imposed upon his followers 
to teach the principles of his kingdom to all nations; and. 
Whereas, the brethren of the Church of Christ in Illinois, in 
annual conv^ention, recognizing education an important agent in 
the spread of Christianit}', appointed a Board of Education to 
assemble in Springfield and organize for the purpose of reporting 
wa3'S and means for the establishment of academies in various 
parts of the State; and, Whereas, a majority of said Board are 
now present, therefore, 

Besolved, that the following be adopted as our platform for 
deliberation : 

1. This association shall be known as "The Board of Edu- 
cation of the Christian Missionary Society of Illinois." 

2. The object of this association shall be to provide for the 
promotion of primitive Christianity by urging the Churches of 
Christ in Illinois to establish schools under their exclusive man- 
agement. 

3. The officers of the association shall be a president, vice- 
president, treasurer and secretary, whose duties shall be the same 
as those of similar organizations. 

Elder William Davenport was chosen president, 



38 HIS TOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

Elder John Lindsey, vice-president ; Elder Geo. W. 
Minier, treasurer, and A. S. Fisher, secretary. 

The Board then adjourned to three o'clock in the 
afternoon. 

AFTERNOOJSr* SESSION. 

The Board asenibled pursuant to adjournment. 
The following was adopted : 

Eesolvecl, That every member of the Board be requested to 
prepare an essay in relation to the number of academies that 
ought to be established, and suggestions as to the best method of 
securing the means necessary for the erection of buildings, pur- 
chasing libraries, apparatus, etc. ; and that the essays be for- 
warded to our secretary by the 4th day of July next, who shall 
from the various suggestions prepare a report for consideration 
at our next meeting to be held at Jacksonville, in September, 

1853. 

******** 

Besolved, That Professor John H. Neville be requested to fill 
the vacancy created by the removal of Elder T. J. Matlock from 
our State. 

Thereupon the Board adjourned to meet in Jacksonville, in 
September, 1853. Wm. Davenport, President. 

A. S. Fisher, Secretary. 

SESSION 1853-4. 

At the Annual Meeting of the Trustees, in June, 
1853, it was resolved that the increase of students 
during the past session and the prospective further 
increase for the next, make it necessary to employ 
a stronger force of instruction. They, however, 
declined to take further action without conferring 
with the present Board of Instruction. 



HIS TOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 39 

Professors Fisher and Neville recommended that 
provision be made for assistance in conducting the 
primary classes, and signified their preference for 
Miss Sarah Fisher and Miss Elniira J. Dickinson, 
two young ladies, students of the Academy. These 
were accordingly employed. 

BOARD OF INSTRUCTION. 

Session 1853-4. 

A. S. Fisher, 
Of Natural Sciences, Mathemutics, and Principal of the Preparatory School. 

John H. Neville, 
Of Higher Mathematics, Greek and Latin. 

Sarah Fisher and Elmira J. Dickinson, 
Assistants in Preparatory School. 

To provide additional boarding accommodations, 
a canvass for means to erect a boarding house was 
inaugurated. This resulted favorabl3^, enabling 
the Trustees to erect and complete a commodious 
building during the spring and summer of 1854, 
arranged to accommodate about fifty students. It 
was placed under the management of the affable 
Christian gentleman, R. M. Clark, one of the Trus- 
tees and an ardent friend of the Academy. The 
house was opened for the reception of students in 
September, 1854, and while presided over by Mr. 
Clark and his amiable wife was a pleasant home 
for the numerous occupants. 

Report from the Board of Education made to 



40 HISTORY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

tlie Missionary Convention assembled in Ja -kson- 
ville, September, 1853. 

The Board met in Jacksonville, pursuant to ad- 
journment, and instructed the secretary to present 
to the Convention there assembled the following as 
the result of their deliberations : 

Before submitting any plan for a combined effort by the 
brethren in the establishment of schools, the Board would call 
attention to what has alreadj' been done. At the Annual Con- 
vention held in Woodford county, in August, 1851, it was 
resolved that our true interest as a Christian community requires 
an institution of such character that the brethren may endow 
their sons and daughters with a liberal education under the 
immeiliate control of Cliristian teachers. At the next Annual 
Convention, which was held at Abingdon, Walnut Grove Acad- 
emy was recognized as the institution of the brethren, and they 
were called upon to foster it by sending their sons and daughters, 
and making such an amount of donations as would enable the 
founders to place it upon a sure and permanent basis. 

In October following the Convention at Abingdon, the Trus- 
tees of Walnut Grove Academy appointed Elders Davenport and 
Lindsey to canvass the State for students and the means recom- 
mended. 

All these had been done, or were in progress, when the 
Board of Education assembled in the city of Springfield for the 
purpose of organizing. 

While we have great confidence in the liberality of our breth- 
ren, yet we fear the draft upon them at the present for means to 
establish a State Institution of the contemplated grade, may 
prove to be somewhat burdensome, as they are now contemplat- 
ing the endowment of a chair in Bethany College. We, there- 
fore, limit our report to the creation of academies in the various 
missionary districts, in which the course of instruction shall 
include Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, Grammar, 
History, Natural Philosophy, Algebra, Geometry and First Les- 
sons in Greek and Latin. 



HISTOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 41 

In order to establish an academy in any given district, the 
brethren thereof should be called together, and the principles of 
education and their legitimate effects upon a community should 
be fully unfolded to them, and the strong obligation of all Chris- 
tians to donate of the means entrusted to their respective stew- 
ardships for its promotion. 

If an academy should be voted for, the whole matter should 
be referred to a Board of Trustees, comprising one or more mem- 
bers from every congregation. 

3): lie. ^ :>!i ^ i^i :)fi il^ t 

Impressions during childhood being most enduring, and wrong 
impressions always difficult to remove, the matter of primary 
education is of paramount importance, and all our brethren 
should be strongly urged to make use of all laudable efforts to 
secure competent Christian teachers in all our common schools. 

On the subject of text-books, the Board would recommend 
that none be used in any of our schools that are at all tainted 
with the withering principles of sectarianism. Use only those 
that, in all their suggestions to the young mind, tend towards 
building up a high order of moral character. The Bible should 
have a conspicuous place in the daily exercises of every school. 
Having been prepared by the Author of the human mind, it is 
superior to all human productions in developing morality among 
any people. 

As Christians, it is our inalienable duty to develop the great 
plan of salvation in its ancient simplicitjs and it is the unchal- 
lenged testimony of all Christendom that only an educated mind 
is competent to disengage the simple facts of Christianity from 
the many false dogmas with which they have become entangled 
through many centuries of false teachings and interpretations ; 
hence a well organized system of schools is a matter of the first 
magnitude. 

Brethren, shall we have such schools among us and under 
our control? We have the necessary talent and wealth. Shall 
we appropriate them to so noble a purpose? Or shall we be lured 
into the general vortex of speculation and " strive to accumulate 
more money, to buy more land, to make larger farms, to gro v 



42 IIISTOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

more corn, to secure more money." In such a circle the chil- 
dren of mammon always move. But having tasted of the good 
things of eternal life, we should direct our energies in a channel 
whose plane is far above the accumulating of worldly wealth. 

The realization of the system proposed will require many 
years of toil and wasting anxiety. But is not the end proposed 
worthy of the required effort? " There is no excellence without 
great labor." Let us, therefore, push forward the begun work 
with firm reliance on Him who is the head of all principalities 
and powers. A. S. Fisher, Secretary. 

It was thought appropriate to narrate, thus 
minutely, the doings of the Board of Education, 
and to call attention to the resolutions by the Mis- 
sionary conventions at Walnut Grove, Abingdon 
and Jacksonville, because they all resulted from 
repeated attempts by the friends of Walnut Grove 
Academy to cause a co-operation of the Christian 
congregations in Illinois in building up an institu- 
tion of high order. It is believed that the promi- 
nent brethren of the State were favorable to the 
work, and the commendatory preamble and reso- 
lution at Abingdon clearly indicates that Walnut 
Grove Academy was their preference. 

The matter was presented to the conv.ention in 
1851, and decisive action was postponed by the 
appointment of a Committee on Education in- 
structed to take the subject under advisement and 
report at the next annual convention to assemble 
at Abingdon, in September, 1852. At Abingdon 
the Board of Education was appointed, which 
seemed to put off definite action another year, but 



niSTOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 43 

the resolution introduced by Elder D. P. Hender- 
son placed a different phase on the outlook, invit- 
ing the trustees of Walnut Grove Academy to 
canvass among the congregations without further 
delay. 

RECEIVED BUT NOT ADOPTED. 

The report of the Board of Education to the 
Jacksonville Convention was received by that 
body, but its recommendations were never adopted. 
The purpose for which the committee of seven had 
been called into existence had been at least par- 
tially effected, and for many years immediately 
succeeding that period, all questions concerning 
the establishing of schools were totally banished 
from the annual conventions of the Illinois Mis- 
sionary Society. Just why that organization 
would not permit the discussion of such topics 
was never formally promulgated, and it would per- 
haps be unproductive of good results to attempt, at 
this kite day, an explanation of the strange fea- 
ture. We will only suggest that other regularly 
organized institutions of learning, under the con- 
trol of Christian trustees, were started up in certain 
localities, which became applicants for general 
assistance. 



CHAPTER III. 

The Music Department— The College Charter — First Session 
under the Charter — The College Campus — Endowment Fund 
— A College Building Erected — Failure of the Endowment — 
Prof. C. L. Loos Accepts the Presidency — Resignation of 
President Loos — Resignation of Prof. Neville — B. W. Johnson 
— Periclesian Society — Mathesian Society — Excelsior Society 
— A Contraction and Its Cause — The First Graduate. 

THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT. 

During the summer of 1855, the Board of In- 
strution organized a department of music, em- 
ploying Miss Ellen F. True of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, 
as the teacher. The department was opened for 
the reception of pupils at the beginning of the 
first session under tlie college charter, in Septem- 
ber, 1855. 

THE COLLEGE CHARTER. 

The trustees of the Academy made application 
to the Legislature, at its session of 1854-5, for a 
Special College Charter, and the following liberal 
provisions were unanimously granted : 

(44) 



HIS TOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 45 

AN ACT 
To Incorporate Eureka College. 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of lUinois, 
represented in the General Assembly, That Elijah Dickinson, 
William Davenport, Elias B. Myers, John Darst, John Lindsey, 
Abishai M. Myers, John Major, William H. Davenport, Benja- 
min J. Radford, David Deweese, Robert M. Clark, William 
Atterberry, William T. Major, Sr., Christopher O. Neville, John 
Bennett, William M. Brown, John T. Jones, William S. Pick- 
rell, George McManus, Bushrod W. Heni'y, Stephen T. Logan, 
Peter C. Redding, Henry Grove and John W. Taylor and their 
successors be, and they hereby are, created a body politic and 
corporate, by the name and style of "The Trustees of Eureka 
College," and by that style and name to remain and have per- 
petual succession. The number of trustees shall not exceed 
twenty-four, exclusive of the president or presiding officer of 
the college, who shall be ex officio a member of the Board of 
Trustees, any seven of whom shall constitute a quorum. 

§2, Eureka College shall be at or near the place where the 
Walnut Grove Academy is now situated, in Woodford county. 

§3. Said corporation shall have power to sue and be sued, 
plead and be impleaded; to acquire, hold and convey property, 
real and personal or mixed, in all lawful ways ; to have, use and 
alter at pleasure a common seal ; to fill all and every vacancy 
or vacancies occasioned in their body by death or resignation 
or otherwise. 

§4. Said trustees shall have power to make, alter, and estab- 
lish from time to time, such constitutions, rules, by-laws and 
regulations as they may deem necessary for the good government 
of said corporation and the proper management of the institu- 
tion under their control: Provided such constitutions, rules, by- 
laws or regulations be not inconsistent with the constitution or 
laws of this State or of the United States. 

§5. The trustees of Eureka College shall have authority from 
time to time to prescribe and regulate the course of studies to be 
pursued in said college and in the preparatory department 



46 HISTOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

attached thereto; to fix the rates of tuition, room rent and other 
necessary expenses; to appoint instructors and such other offi- 
cers and agents as may be needful in the management of the 
institution ; to define their powers, duties and employments, to 
fix their compensation, to displace or remove either of the in- 
structors, officers or agents, or all of them, as said trustees shall 
deem the interest of said college requires; to fill all vacancies 
among said instructors, officers and agents; to erect suitable 
buildings; to purchase chemical and philosophical apparatus and 
other suitable means of instruction ; to put into operation all 
proper and suitable means for the health, comfort, and advance- 
ment of the students in the various branches of a literary and 
scientific education, and to make rules for the general manage- 
ment of the affairs of the institution and for the regulation of 
the conduct of the students. 

§6. The trustees shall faithfully apply all funds collected by 
them according to the best of their judgment in erecting suitable 
buildings, in supporting the necessary instructors, officers and 
agents, the procuring books, maps, charts, globes and all philo- 
sophical and chemical apparatus to aid and promote sound learn- 
ing in the institution: Provided, that in case an}^ donation, de- 
vise or bequest shall be made for particular purposes accordant 
with the objects of the institution, and the trustees shall accept 
the same, every such donation, devise or bequest shall be 
applied in conformity with the express condition of the donor or 
devisor; Provided, also, that if the donation be in real estate the 
lands be sold within ten years from the date of said donation, 
and the value thereof be applied as specified by the donor. 

§7. The president of said college, by and with the consent of 
said trustees, shall have power from time to time to ordain, regu- 
late and establish the course and mode of instruction and educa- 
tion to be pursued in said college, and, together with such 
professors, instructors and tutors as the corporation may desig- 
nate, shall be styled "The Faculty of Eureka College," and shall 
have power to adopt and enforce such rules as may be deemed 
expedient for the good government of the institution ; which 
rules and regulations shall not be inconsistent with the consti- 
tution and laws of this State nor of the United States, nor incon- 



HISTOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 47 

sistent with the laws and ordinances of said corporation, and 
shall be in full force until disapproved of by the trustees, or a 
quorum of them, and no longer. 

§8. The said trustees shall have power to establish depart- 
ments for the study of any and all of the learned and liberal pro- 
fessions and to confer such degrees as are usually conferred in 
similar institutions in the United States in the learned arts and 
sciences. The trustees may also attach to said college an aca- 
demical or preparatory department; and when a common school 
department shall be in operation agreeably to the common school 
law of this State, the trustees shall be entitled to draw their pro- 
portion of the township, school, college and seminary fund for 
such scholars as live in the township where said college is 
located. 

§9. The trustees, or a quorum of them, shall have authority 
to meet at such times as they shall deem necessary for the exam- 
ination of candidates for literary degrees ; and they are hereby 
authorized and empowered, upon recommendation of the faculty, 
to confer such degrees on such persons as in their judgments shall 
merit the same in as ample a manner as any similar institution 
can do, and under their common seal to grant testimonials 
thereof, signed by the faculty of the college. 

§10. The trustees, or a quorum of them, shall elect a treas- 
urer (whom they may remove at pleasure) who shall give bonds, 
with approved security, payable to the trustees by their names 
aforesaid, and their successors, faithfully to discharge the duties 
of his said office, and shall render an account of all moneys, 
goods and chattels received and expended by him on account of, 
and for the use of, said college, and on failure or refusal to do so, 
shall be subject to like proceedings as are prescribed by law in 
cases of county treasurers of the State : Provided, that no appro- 
priation, payment or disbursement shall at any time be made by 
the treasurer but such as shall be in pursuance of the directions 
or orders of the trustees. 

§11. Not less than seven trustees shall form a quorum to do 
business, but a less number shall be a quorum to fill vacancies in 
the office of trustees: Provided, that on sixty days' notice, pub- 



48 HIS TOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

lished in the nearest newspaper, a full quorum cannot be 
obtained. 

§12. Whenever the trustees of the Walnut Grove Academj', 
or a quorum of them, shall execute and deliver to the clerk of 
the circuit court of Woodford county, their written consent to 
this act and the same has been duly recorded, all the property, 
real and personal, and all debts due to said Walnut Grove Acad- 
emy shall be vested in the corporation hereby created; and all 
the acts of the said trustees of Walnut Grove Academy are hereby 
declared to be legal and valid, notwithstanding any irregularity 
therein. 

§13. The tract of land now owned by the trustees of Walnut 
Grove Academy shall, when transferred to the coi'poration hereby 
established, together with the library, apparatus and other prop- 
erty of said corporation, be exempt from all State and county 
taxes. 

§14, The said trustees, or a full quorum of them, shall have 
power to remove or suspend the president or any of the profes- 
sors, instructors or tutors at any time; and when there shall be 
a vacancy in said Board of Trustees, occasioned by death, 
removal, resignation, or refusal to act, the I'emaining trustees, or 
a quorum of them, shall supply the vacancy. The president, with 
concurrence of two of the trustees, or any three of the trustees, 
shall have power to call special meetings of the board. 

§15. Whenever an)"^ trustee shall absent himself for three 
successive annual meetings of the board, without assigning a 
sufficient reason at the fourth, the trustees of the college, or a 
quorum of them, shall have power, by entry on their minutes, to 
declare his seat vacant, and may elect a new trustee to supply 
such vacancy. 

§16. There shall be an annual meeting of said trustees, the 
day of meeting to be fixed by themselves. 

§17. That the said Board of Trustees shall never be less than 
twelve (12) nor more than twenty-four (24). 

Approved, Feb. 6, 1855. 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 49 

AN ACT 
To Amend the Act Incorporating Eureka College. 

Section 1. Be it enacted hy the people of the State of Illinois, 
represented in the General Assembly, That so much of section 
eight as entitles the trustees to draw their proportion of the 
township, school, college and seminary funds, to be distributed, 
in proportion, for such scholars as live in the township where 
such college is located, be and the same is hereby repealed. 

§2. The trustees of said college shall be entitled to draw 
their proportion of the township, school, college and seminary 
fund for each scholar residing in the district and adjoining dis- 
trict where such college is located, and attending school therein. 

§3. That the word "tract," in section thirteen (13), of the 
act to which this is an amendment, be amended so as to read 
" tracts." 

Approved Feb. 9, 1855. 

FIRST SESSION UNDER THE CHARTER. 

The school was continued as Walnut Grove 
Academy to the close of the session 1854-5. In 
September, 1855, it was opened as Eureka College, 
having the following Faculty : 

Elder William M. Brown, 
President. 

A. S. Fisher, 
Professor of Mathematics, and Principal of Preparatory. 

John H. Neville, 
Professor of Greek and Latin Languages and Literature. 

O. A. Burgess, 

Professor of Natural Sciences, of Mental and Moral Philosophy, and Lecturer 

of Sacred Literature. 

Richard A. Conover, 
Teacher in Preparatory School. 



50 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

Mrs. Sarah F. Conover, 
Teacher in the Female Department. 

Miss Ellen F. True, 
Teacher of Instrumental and Vocal Music. 

Elder William M. Brown and Elder William 
Davenport were appointed Solicitors of the college. 
They were instructed to visit various localities in 
Illinois and adjoining States for the purpose of 
making known the scope and aim of the college, 
to canvass for students and procure donations. 

THE COLLEGE CAMPUS. 

Among the first acts of the new Board of Trus- 
tees was a movement to secure a commodious cam- 
pus on which to erect a suitable building for the 
Institution. The tract secured contained about fif- 
teen acres, magnificently adorned by noble speci- 
mens of the primeval forest trees, the black walnut 
species predominating. The natural undergrowth 
having been removed, in a few years the whole 
campus was adorned by the spontaneous appear- 
ance of a beautiful blue grass sward. 

A large part of the campus was donated to the 
college by Elias B. Myers, one of the original pro- 
moters of the school, and Elder James Conover, 
who identified himself with the community soon 
after the academy was merged into Eureka Col- 
lege. 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 51 

ENDOWMENT FUND. 

The Financial agents were instructed to canvass 
for donations payable in ten equal annual install- 
ments, bearing interest at the rate of six per cent 
per annum, payable annually, all donors being 
allowed a rebate of four per cent, payable in 
tuition at Eureka College, on demand. And any 
donor having paid up all his installments, accord-, 
ing to the terms of his obligation, was to receive a 
certiticate showing the amount of his donation, 
and obligating the college to pay him six per 
cent per annum in tuition upon the amount 
donated. 

The first third of all money thus donated was 
set apart as a building fund, the balance to be a 
permanent endowment. 

The conditions upon which donations were 
asked greatly assisted the college financiers in 
their canvass, and, in a few months, they reported 
over 160,000 secured by notes bearing six per cent 
interest. 

A COLLEGE BUILDING ERECTED. 

Presuming upon the convertibility of the endow- 
ment notes at maturity, and relying upon the 
future liberality of college friends, Messrs. John 
l)arst, E. B. Myers and William H. Davenport 
kindly offered their respective individual respon- 
sibilities to aid the Trustees in procuring a loan 



52 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

that would enable tliem to erect the contemplated 
building without delay. The generous offer was 
accepted, and the contract for the building was let 
in the spring of 1857, and it was completed during 
the summer of 1858. 

FAILUEE OF THE ENDOWMENT. 

The financial depression that came on in the fall 
of 1857 affected the ability of many donors to such 
a degree as to render their pledges of but little 
value, many of them being worth less ; and a large 
percentage of all others could only be made avail- 
able by allowing ruinous discounts, the result 
being that of all the many thousands of dollars 
pledged to the college, very little more than suffi- 
cient to defray the expense incurred by the build- 
ing commiitee in erecting the new edifice and 
supplying it with needed furniture was ever col- 
lected. 

PROFESSOR C. L. LOOS ACCEPTS THE PRESIDENCY. 

In the summer of 1856, Professor O. A. Burgess 
resigned, to accept a position offered him by the 
church at Washington, leaving the college with 
no one in the faculty to conduct the department of 
Sacred Literature, 

Soon after the opening of the ensuing session, in 
September, 1856, the Trustees sent a committee, 
composed of John Darst and E. B. Myers, to Cin- 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 53 

ciniiati, Ohio, to confer with Professor C. L. Loos, 
a graduate of Bethany College and an ex-profes- 
sor in the Primary School of that institution. 

The committee called on the professor at his 
humble home in Cincinnati, made known to him 
their mission, explained the character of the col- 
lege, its origin, some of the more important obsta- 
cles encountered in its development up to that 
period, and their design to make it, ultimately, an 
important auxiliary in the work of urging forward 
the current reformation, led by A. Campbell and 
others. They closed the interview by inviting him 
to remove to Illinois, and locate in Walnut Grove, 
promising him a prominent place on the Faculty of 
the college. The professor's reply was somewhat 
diplomatic ; he neither accepted nor rejected the 
proposition, promising to take the matter under 
careful advisement, and to communicate with them 
in the near future. 

On their return to Illinois the committee sub- 
mitted a report of their conference, and advised 
the Board of Trustees to take immediate action. 
Professor Loos was promptly elected President of 
the Faculty by a unanimous vote. A short corre- 
spondence ensued. Professor Loos at once ac- 
cepted the position, and soon thereafter removed 
with his family to Walnut Grove, entering the col- 
lege as President in January, 1857. 

Having had the advantages, during many years 



54 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

of his Student life of training under the direction 
of the great Alexander Campbell, and having been 
conducted through the intricacies of sacred litera- 
ture by that eminent divine, he was abundantly 
prepared to conduct the Bible Department of the 
college. 

He continued his work with the Institution until 
the summer of 1858, being much admired for his 
ability as a scholar, and for his executive resources 
exhibited in the skill with which he performed his 
perplexing duties as president of the institution. 

EESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT LOOS. 

The new building was nearing completion, 
patronage had greatly increased, and a brilliant 
future for the college was predicted by its numer- 
ous friends and promoters. Such was the attitude 
of affairs when the students dispersed for their 
respective homes at the close of the session of 
1857-8, and the several members of the Faculty 
made their respective arrangements to spend the 
annual summer vacation. 

President Loos took a tour into northern Ohio, 
where he was met by certain parties from Bethany 
College, who induced him to accept an appoint- 
ment on the Faculty of his Alma Mater. 

This unexpected movement left the Faculty of 
Eureka College without a presiding officer and 
without any one to conduct the Bible Department, 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 55 

and the existence of the chasm thus created was 
not communicated to the Board of Trustees until a 
few days prior to the opening of the next session. 
But notwithstanding the awkward phase, the 
chasm was promptly bridged, and the session was 
opened by the following Faculty : 

George Callender, 
President. 

B. W. Johnson, 
Professor of Ancient Languages. 

A. S. Fisher, 
Professor of Mathematics and Natural Ptiilosopby. 

J. M. Allen, 
Professor of Chemistry and Belles-Lettres. 

Miss Sue S. Smith, 
Teacher of Music. 

A. S. Fisher, 
Principal of Preparatory School. 

Miss E. J. Dickinson, 
First Assistant in Preparatory School. 

Miss Jane Ewing, 
Second Assistant in Preparatory School. 

RESIGNATION OF PROFESSOR NEVILLE. 

In the summer of 1857, Professor John H. Neville 
resigned his position on the Faculty of Eureka Col- 
lege and accepted an appointment on the Faculty 
of Christian University, at Canton, Missouri. He 
had been identified with the Educational move- 
ment in Walnut Grove since September, 1852, and 



56 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

had proven himself eminently prepared for his 
chosen profession. He left the college admired by 
the Trustees, members of the Faculty, the students, 
and by all who knew him. Having remained at 
Canton during one session, he resigned, and in the 
fall of 1859, accepted an appointment in Bowman 
University, at Harrodsburg, Kentucky. 

B. W. JOHNSON. 

Upon the resignation of Professor Neville, B. 
W. Johnson was elected to a professorship. He 
was a graduate of Bethany College, and had con- 
ducted a private school in the city of Bloomington. 
When it became known in that city that he had 
accepted a professorship in Eureka College, many 
of his former pupils applied for matriculation 
permits. 

Professor Johnson was a member of the Faculty 
when President Loos resigned, and was asked to 
assume the Presidency ; this, however, he declined, 
but consented to act as Vice-President and to lec- 
ture daily upon sacred and secular history. 

PEEICLESIAN SOCIETY. 

During the session 1855-6, another literary soci- 
ety was organized, and was incorporated as The 
Periclesian Society. The weekly performances 
consisted of reading original essays, orations, dec- 
lamations and debates. All its sessions were gov- 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 57 

erned by parliamentary rules, and the numerous 
members, therefore, received a training that gave 
them great power for usefulness in subsequent 
life when aiding to promote the best interests of 
organized society. 

MATHESIAN SOCIETY. 

About the year 1857 a literary religious society 
was organized for the benefit of those intending to 
enter the Christian ministry. They had weekly 
performances, also, consisting of Scripture recita- 
tions, sermons and discussions of religious ques- 
tions. It was known as the Mathesian Society. 

EXCELSIOR SOCIETY. 

During the session of 1857-8 the young ladies of 
the college organized an association known as The 
Excelsior Society. It at once assumed an influen- 
tial rank, and for many years was an important 
feature of the college. It was never incorporated, 
and when the Edmund Burke Society and the Peri- 
clesian Society altered their respective organic 
laws so as to make females eligible to member- 
ship, the Excelsiors found their membership grad- 
ually decreasing in numbers from term to term, 
and soon the weekly meetings were abandoned, 
and ultimately the Excelsior Society became non 
est, having died of starvation for want of members. 



58 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

A CONTRACTION AND ITS CAUSE. 

From the beginning of the institution in 1848, 
down to and including the session of 1857-8, the 
patronage had been constantly on the increase, the 
matriculations of 1857-8 numbering two hundred 
and seventy-six. But the financial depression that 
commenced in the fall of 1857, and swept over the 
entire country as a withering blight, caused a tem- 
porary check upon its further expansion in the 
immediate future, and even produced a great 
decline in the number of annual matriculations. 

THE FIRST GRADUATE. 

E. W. Dickinson, a young man of exemplary 
habits, was the first graduate of the college. Hav- 
ing completed the prescribed course of studies, the 
Trustees, upon the recommendation of the Faculty, 
conferred on him the degree of A. B. at their annual 
meeting in 1860. 

FACULTY OF 1860-1. 

George Callender, A. M., 
President. 

B. W. Johnson, A. B., 

Professor of Greek Language and Literature, and Lecturer on Sacred and 

Secular History. 

A. 8. Fisher, B. S., 
Professor of Natural Philosophy. 

J. M. Allen, M. D., 
Professor of Physiology, and Moral and Mental Philosophy. 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 59 

R. H. Johnson, A. B., 

Professor of Latin Language and Literature, and Teacher of Natural 

History. 

J. H. ROWELL, 
Professor of Mathematics. 

Miss Sarah Lanpheare, 
Teacher of French, German and Painting. 

Miss Sue Smith, 
Teacher of Music. 

A. S. Fisher. 
Principal of Preparatory Department. 

Miss Mollie G. Clark, 
Teacher in Preparatory Department. 

J. M. Allen, 
Librarian. 

R. H. Johnson, 
Curator of Museum. 

OFFICERS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES, SESSION 1860-1. 

E. Dickinson, President. 
George Callender, Secretary. 
E. B. Myers, Treasurer. 
A. G. EwiNG, £«rsrtr. 

COMMITTEES OF TRUSTEES, SESSION 1860-1. 

John Darst, ^ 

E. B. Myers, K Executive Committee. 

James R. Burton, J 

A. M. Myers, ] 

R. M. Clark, \ Prudential Committee. 

C. 0. Neville, J 

George Callender, 1 

Wm. H. Davenport, ^Auditing Committee. 

A. M. Myers, J 



CHAPTER IV. 

The First Secretary — The First Treasurer — John Darst — Attitude 
in the Civil War — George Caliender — B. W. Johnson — 
J. M. Allen — The College Aid Fund — H. O. Newcomb 
— H. W. Everest — The Endowment — A. G. Ewing — 
The Chapel— The $12,000 Loan— Resignation of President 
Everest— A. M. Weston— B. J. Radford— H. W. Everest 
Again President — The Boarding-House Company — ^Apparatus 
Replenished— Faculty of 1881-2. 

THE FIRST SECRETARY. 

At the organization of the Trustees of Walnut 
Grove Academy, A. S. Fisher was elected secre- 
tary, and he continued to act in that capacity 
until that school became Eureka College, and was 
continued in the same office by the Trustees of 
the college till the close of the session of 1855-6, 
when he was relieved by Mr. Caliender, that he 
might the more closely attend to the other matters 
pertaining to the college work. 

THE FIRST TREASURER. 

At the organization of Walnut Grove Academy, 
in 1849, E. B. Myers was made treasurer, and 

(60) 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 61 

he was continued in that capacity, by re-elections, 
during the existence of that institution ; and when 
the Academy was merged into Eureka College 
the Trustees retained him in the treasurership 
until his death, which occurred in 1866, having 
been treasurer for sixteen years. At no time 
during his long service was there any intimation 
of unfaithfulness. Every dollar of money com- 
mitted to his care as treasurer was faithfully ac- 
counted for. 

JOHN DAEST. 

Mr. Darst was elected a trustee of the school 
about the year 1855. He removed from near 
Dayton, Ohio, and located near the Academy in 
the year 1851. From the first he was a devoted 
friend of the institution. Being a man of great 
energy and of eminent financial ability, he was 
placed upon the Executive Committee and kept 
in that position continuously for more tlian forty 
years. Without exaggeration it may truthfully 
be affirmed, that, financially, he has been the 
leading promoter of the college. While Elder B. 
Major must ever be regarded as the Founder of 
the school, Elder John Darst has been, pre-emi- 
nently, its great supporter, having on more than 
one occasion rescued it from impending destruc- 
tion, when other friends regarded its condition 
desperate. He was made President of the Board 



62 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

of Trustees at the death of Elder Ewing, in 1873, 
and still occupies that position. 

ATTITUDE IN THE CIVIL WAE. 

During the terrible War of the Rebellion the 
college was eminently loyal. When President 
Abraham Lincoln issued his first proclamation, 
calling for volunteers to assist in maintaining the 
integrity of the nation, many of the students and 
one member of the Faculty promptly enlisted, and 
remained in the army during the war. 

GEORGE CALLENDER. 

Mr. Callender emigrated from Liverpool, Eng- 
land, in the year 1853, and located a short 
distance northward from Walnut Grove Academy. 
He was a gentleman of culture, having been liber- 
ally educated while in the Old Country. He was 
of a kindly disposition, benevolent and generous. 
Very soon after his location in Walnut Grove 
he united with the Church of Christ in that com- 
munity, and became a devoted member. He was 
elected a trustee of the institution, and became one 
of its best promoters. Upon the resignation of 
President Loos, in 1858, he was elected president 
of the college, which position he continued to fill 
till 1862, when he resigned and was succeeded by 
B. W. Johnson. 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 63 

PROFESSOR B. W. JOHNSO]!^^. 

Mr. Johnson's boyhood home was near Wash- 
ington, Tazewell county, Illinois. His father was 
a farmer, and consequently the boy's life was 
somewhat monotonous. Until verging into man- 
hood his educational advantages were such as 
could be obtained in the common school of his 
neighborhood. He was noted for his love of read- 
ing, biographies and histories being his favorite 
books. 

In 1851 he became a student of Walnut Grove 
Academy, where he remained three years, making 
a splendid record. He then entered Bethany 
College, presided over at that time by the famous 
theologian, Alexander Campbell. Being permit- 
ed to enter as a junior, he completed the college 
course in two years, receiving a diploma as a 
member of the class of 1856. 

After leaving college he opened a private school 
in the city of Bloomington, Illinois, where he re- 
mained one year. In the fall of 1857 he accepted 
a position on the Faculty of Eureka College, and 
remained a devoted friend and promoter of that 
school during six years, performing all the duties 
of the president from the opening of the session 
1858-9 to the close of the session 1861-2. He was 
then elected President, which position he accepted. 
At the close of the session 1862-3 he resigned, and 



64 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

soon thereafter became Professor of Mathematics 
in Bethany College, West Virginia, where seven 
years before he had received the degree of A. B, 
Subsequently he accepted the presidency of 
Oskaloosa College, in Iowa, where he remained 
for a term of years. Being interested in the pub- 
lication of a religious paper, he removed to Chica- 
go, where he prospered as an editor for a time, 
when he formed a coalition with a publishing 
house in St. Louis, and for many years has been 
one of the editors of the ChrlstiaiiEociiigeUst^ 
a weekly paper of vast inliuence among the many 
congregations of the Church of Christ in the West 
and South. 

DR. J. M. ALLEN. 

The Doctor was a Kentuckian. He lirst ap- 
peared in the community as a practicing physician 
about the year 1854. He was a young, affable, 
Christian gentleman, and noted for his kindness 
and generosity. Being of a jovial disposition, 
witty, possessed with an inexhaustible store of 
anecdotes, and a good story-teller, he was ever a 
welcome guest at all the entertainments of the 
young people. 

Having abandoned his profession as a physi- 
cian, he entered the Christian ministry, and 
soon became known among the congregations as 
an earnest evangelist. During the session of 



HIS TOBY OF EUEEKA COLLEGE. 65 

1855-6 he was a student of Eureka College, taking 
lessons under the direction of Professor Neville. 
In 1856 he was elected Professor of Natural 
Sciences in Eureka College, and for more than 
thirty years thereafter he was a zealous work- 
er for the college, most of the time as a pro- 
fessor, but frequently he was excused from work 
as a teacher that he might serve the college 
as financial agent, soliciting among the people 
for students and donations. In 1882 he became 
President of the Faculty. As president he was 
an ardent promoter of the college for seven 
years. Resigning his place in the Faculty in 
1887, he was retained for a year or two as col- 
lege solicitor. In 1891 he removed with his 
family to the State of Washington, and there con- 
tinued his work as a Christian evangelist. 

THE collegj: aid fund. 

The report of the treasurer at the Annual Meet- 
ing of 1863 caused a rumor that the college 
was about to suspend for lack of funds to meet 
current expenses. The citizens of Eureka called 
a meeting to inquire as to the degree of the rumor- 
ed danger. A careful and extended discussion 
established the fact that the college needed funds 
to prevent an impending collapse. At that meet- 
ing a committee was appointed who canvassed 
among the people of the village and the surround- 



66 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

ing country and obtained about four thousand 
dollars, which was turned over to the college 
treasurer to supplement the income from tuition 
fees. The treasurer being thus reinforced, the 
threatened calamity was avoided, and the college 
work continued on as of yore. President John- 
son having resigned, the official duties of that 
office during 1863-4 were assumed by other mem- 
bers of the Faculty. 

H, O. NEWCOMB. 

In the summer vacation of 1863, H. O. Newcomb, 
of Hiram, Ohio, a graduate of Ann Arbor, Michi- 
gan, was elected Professor of the Greek and 
German languages and literature. The appoint- 
ment was accepted and Professor Newcomb enter- 
ed upon the duties of his chair in September, 
1863. 

The crisis had been reached and passed with- 
out disaster. The number of students was once 
more on the increase, and the college was again 
prosperous. 

H. W. EVEREST. 

In .1864, H. W. Everest, a graduate of Oberlin 
College, Ohio, and President of Hiram College, 
in that State, accepted the presidency of 
Eureka College. He was an executive officer of 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 67 

superior ability, and presided as the head of the 
institution for many years. During the first three 
years of his administration the number of students 
increased from one hundred and twenty-five to 
two hundred and twenty five. 

THE ENDOWMENT. 

About 1866 the Trustees resolved to make an 
effort for an increase of the endowment fund. 
Dr. J. M. Allen was excused from the Faculty and 
accepted the place of general financial agent. 
Many plans of operation were suggested, discuss- 
ed and discarded. At length the Doctor entered 
upon the work, taking pledges upon the condition 
that twelve thousand dollars should be raised in 
Woodford county. The work was pushed by the 
Doctor until the pledges amounted in the aggre- 
gate to about twenty thousand dollars. A meet- 
ing of the Board was called to hear the report of 
their agent. The amount of pledges gave great 
satisfaction, but an inspection revealed the fact 
that the pledges in Woodford county did not 
amount to twelve thousand dollars, and conse- 
quently none of them were binding. A few of 
the Woodford county donors \vere prevailed upon 
to increase their respective pledges, whereupon 
Mr. George Callender agreed to become responsi- 
ble for the balance of the twelve thousand dollars 



68 HIS TOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

necessary to make the many pledges of legal 
force. 

The college now possessed an endowment fund 
of more than twenty thousand dollars. But there 
was an unfortunate feature of weakness in the 
otherwise well-guarded scheme. All donors were 
dealt with as preferred borrowers, everyone being 
allowed to retain in his possession as a loan the 
full amount of his pledge, giving his own note 
therefor without collateral. As a consequence 
a large percentage of the endowment became worth- 
less from unexpected failures in business. 

A. G. EWING. 

Mr. Evving was a native of Tennessee, but in 
early life removed to Virginia. He emigrated to 
Illinois and located in Walnut Grove, near the 
college, in 1858. He was elected to a trusteeship 
soon after his arrival. At the death of E. 
Dickinson, in 1862, Elder A. G. Ewing was elected 
President of the Board of Trustees, which office 
he held continuously for more than ten years, and 
until his death in 1873. 

THE CHAPEL. 

The building which had been erected in 1858 
had abundant room to accommodate all the legiti- 
mate wants of the college at tliat time, but was en- 




I'lIE oKMilN'AL ( ULLE(.i: PriLl)IN(.. 




THE CHAPEL. 



HIiSTOEY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 69 

tirely inadequate for the demands of 1867. There 
was an insufficient number of rooms, the chapel 
was too small for the increased number of students 
in attendance, the literary societies were clamor- 
ing for larger rooms, and the library and museum 
needed additional space. 

To provide for these pressing demands the 
Board of Trustees resolved to erect another build- 
ing on the college campus. The ceremony of lay- 
ing the corner-stone took place at the close of 
session 1867-8, and the superstructure was com- 
pleted in 1869. 

The edifice was known as the Chapel. It was 
a large building of two stories. The whole of the 
upper story was fitted up for a chapel and lecture 
room. The lower story was sub-divided into three 
rooms, one of which was assigned to the Edmund 
Burke Society, one to the Periclesian Society, while 
the other was appropriated for the use of library 
and museum. 

THE $12,000 LOAN. 

The resources of the college were tuition fees, 
interest on a small endowment, and donations. But 
the aggregate of these was insufficient to defray 
current expenses. Every year there was a deficit 
and some of the creditors would receive interest- 
bearing treasury orders. Many of these would be 
caslted by some of the college friends, who would 



70 HISTOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

carry them from year to year. But after a few 
years the amount of such outstanding orders would 
become so great as to suggest danger. 

In 1871 the floating debt had become quite 
alarming. Fortunately the debt was almost ex- 
clusively owned by friends of the college, disposed 
to aid the institution to the extent of their ability. 
The owners of the claims were interviewed by col- 
lege agents, and they canvassed the matter among 
themselves. As a result, the individual claims 
were, in numerous instances, surrendered, and thus 
the floating debt was reduced to an aggregate of 
about twelve thousand dollars. To provide for this 
balance a loan was obtained. In this way the 
Trustees were relieved, temporarily, from the an- 
noyance of overdue debts. 

To provide for the semi-annual interest, and for 
the liquidation of the principal when due, the 
endowment committee made renewed eff*orts to in- 
crease that fund. They also decided to ask for 
donations bearing ten per cent interest and pay- 
able at the maturity of the loan. 

Sundry men of ability were employed and sent 
into the field of work to make known to the numer- 
ous college friends the financial situation and to 
solicit their co-operation in providing for the emer- 
gency. 

During 1872-3 Elder W. T. Maupin operated as 
the traveling financial agent. He visited numer- 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 71 

Oils localities and accomplished many favorable 
results, by awakening enthusiasm among the peo- 
ple for the ultimate triumph of the college. 

During the session of 1873-4 Elder W. G. Ander- 
son was employed to occupy the field as financial 
agent. It was largely by his activity and earnest 
appeals that such an amount of pledges was ob- 
tained as induced the trustees to announce to the 
people, by publication in the Eureka Journal, that 
the loan was provided for and would be paid at 
maturity. 

RESIGNATIOISr OF PRESIDENT EVEREST. 

In 1872 H. W. Everest resigned and accepted a 
call to preach for the Church of Christ at Spring- 
field, Illinois. He had been a faithful presiding 
officer of the institution for eight years. 

A. M, WESTON. 

Upon the resignation of President H. W. Everest 
A. M. Weston was elected President of the Facul- 
ty. He had been called from Ohio two years pre- 
viously to take a place on the Faculty as Profes- 
sor of Greek. 

B. J. RADFORD. 

Mr. Radford was educated at Eureka College. 
His father, B. J. Radford, Sr., emigrated from Ken- 



72 HISTOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

tncky and located in Walnut Grove many 
years before the existence of Walnut Grove 
Academy, and was a charter member in the incor- 
poration of that school. B. J. Radford, Jr., was a 
student of Eureka College when Abraham Lincoln 
made the first call for volunteers to aid in suppress- 
ing the rebellion. In company with many others 
who were his fellow students, he promptly offered 
his services. He subsequently enlisted for three 
years and was in the army during the war. After 
the war he renewed his connection with the college 
and graduated in 1866. Soon after leaving college 
he entered the ministry of the Church of Christ. 
In 1870 he was elected Professor of Latin. At the 
resignation of President A. M. Weston, he was 
elected to fill the vacancy. At the expiration of 
two years he resigned the presidency and accepted 
a call to preach for the church at Des Moines, la. 
In 1878 he returned to Eureka and was again 
placed on the Faculty as Professor of Greek and 
Sacred Literature. In 1881 he resigned his pro- 
fessorship to accept a call as pastor of one of the 
congregations of the Church of Christ at Cincin- 
nati, Ohio. While in Cincinnati he was appointed 
one of the editors of the Glirlstian Standard. In 
1890 he accepted a call as pastor of the church in 
Denver, Colorado, and removed to that city. Find- 
ing his health fast declining under the climatic 
influences of that mountainous region, in 1892 he 



HISTOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 73 

returned to Eureka, Illinois, and was again placed 
on the Faculty of the college. 



CHAPTER V. 

H. W. Everest again President — The Boarding House Company 
— Apparatus Replenished — Faculty of 1881-2— Endowment — 
Abingdon College Consolidated With Eureka College. 

H. W, EVEREST AGAIN PRESIDENT. 

In 1877 Professor Everest was again elected 
President of the Faculty. He accepted the appoint- 
ment and entered upon the duties of his office in 
September of that year. But in 1881 he again 
resigned to accept the appointment as President of 
Butler University, at Irvington, Indiana. 

THE BOARDING HOUSE COMPANY. 

This was an incorporated company organized in 
1878 for the purpose of increasing boarding facili- 
ties for the accommodation of students. A board- 
ing hall of two stories was erected in 1878 of such 
dimensions as to afford ample accommodations for 
forty-eight young men — two in each room. 

APPARATUS REPLENISHED. 

Soon after the return of President Everest, 

(74) 




tTENTLKMEX> HALL, No. 1. 




GENTLEMEN'S HALL, NO. 2. 



HIS TOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 75 

through his earnest representations as to pressing 
wants of the college, the Board of Trustees appro- 
priated one thousand dollars to be used in the 
purchase of mathematical and philosophical appa- 
ratus. This money was placed in the hands of 
President Everest, who was authorized to make 
such purchases as he thought would be for the 
best interests of the college. Thus instructed, Pres- 
ident Everest went to Boston, Massachusetts, 
where he made a very judicious selection of ap- 
paratus. 

FACULTY OF 1881-2. 

J. M. Allen, A. M., President, 
Professor of Latin and English Literature. 

James Kirk, A. M., 
Professor of Natural Science. 

Carl Johann, A. M., 
Professor of Modern Languages. 

A. S. Fisher, A. M., 
Professor of Mathematics. 

Andrew J. Youngblood, A. M., 
Professor of Greek, and Mental and Moral Science. 



Professor of the Bible and Sacred Literature. 

Professor J. W. Metcalfe, 

Honorary (jraduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music, Leipsic, 
Germany, Director of the School of Music. 

Miss Sarah Jeanne Garrett, 
Teacher of Drawing and Painting. 

James Kirk, 
Curator of Museum. 

Carl Johann, 
Librarian. 



76 HISTORY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

The Faculty during the session 1883-4 was the 
following : 

J. M. Allen, A. M., President, 
Professor of Mental and Moral Pliilosophy and Sacred History. 

B. J. Radford, A. M,, 
Professor of the Bible and Sacred Literature. 

James Kirk, A. M., 
Professor of Physical and Natural Science. 

Carl Johann, A. M., 
Professor of Modern Languages. 

A. S. Fisher, A. M., 
Professor of Mathematics. 

Andrew J. Youngblood, A. M., 
Professor of Ancient Languages. 

J. Y. Coombs, A. B., 
Professor of English Literature, Elocution and Didactics. 

N. S. Richmond, 
Professor of Penmanship, Bookkeeping, Business Forms and Stenography. 

Professor J. W. Metcalfe, 

Prize Graduate of Royal Conservatory, Leipsic, Germany, Director 

of School of Music. 

John Dei'ue, 
Vocalist and Assistant Teacher of Piano and Organ. 

Professor Edward E. Blitz, 
Graduate of National Conservatory, Paris, France, Insructor of Violin. 

Miss Clara J. Hatch, 
Instructor of Drawing and Painting. 

James Kirk, 
Curator of Museum. 

Carl Johann, 
Librarian. 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 77 

ENDOWMENT. 

The promoters of the college from its first or- 
ganization had realized that an adequate endow- 
ment fnnd is necessary for ultimate success. Ac- 
cordingly many efforts had been made to procure 
such a fund and many thousand dollars had been 
promised, but only a very small percentage had 
been paid into the treasury — the donors being con- 
sidered as preferred borrowers and allowed to 
retain their promised donations as loans, without 
security, except promissory notes, without endorse- 
ments. In numerous instances the unforeseen vicis- 
situdes in the fortunes of men caused such assets 
to becomeof small value. But notwithstanding this 
faulty financiering, persisted in by the endowment 
committee, the college sessions had been continu- 
ous for twenty-nine 3^ears without the loss of a 
week, and hundreds of young men and young 
women had received valuable training, enabling 
them to secure honorable and profitable situations 
in the on-going and rapidly developing depart- 
ments of business in our vast Mississippi Valley. 

Large numbers had completed the college cur- 
riculum and had been awarded diplomas as evi- 
dence of their faithful work, nor have they failed to 
reflect honor upon their Alma Mater. They may 
be found in pulpits, at the bar, in lecture-rooms, as 
college presidents and professors, in legislatures, in 



78 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

the halls of congress, in places of prominence 
and trust along the channels of trade and at the 
centers of commerce. 

But deficits in the treasury were not infrequent, 
and would be provided for by the liberality of 
college friends, who were at times burdened by 
such sacrifices in their efforts to temporarily re- 
lieve the institution. The Trustees foresaw clearly 
that such a condition of affairs could not continue 
indefinitely — that sooner or later a collapse would 
be the inevitable result. 

At a meeting of the Board in January, 1884, the 
nonresident members proposed to raise $50,000 
outside of Woodford county, if the resident mem- 
bers would raise $25,000 within the county, of new 
permanent endowment bearing six per cent in- 
terest. 

The Endowment Committee were aroused into a 
state of activity and zeal above their common 
plane of effort. In their counsels they carefully 
considered all the suggestions from buoyant friends 
and the mutterings of evil from chronic croakers, 
and were not a little influenced by rumored ofters 
from a distant city. Zealously the work was 
pushed forward, and largely through the earnest 
appeals of Professor W. F. Black, the popular 
Christian orator and college promoter, of Tuscola, 
Illinois, the commendable attempt was abundantly 
successful. 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 79 

At a mass meeting called for the purpose, and 
held in the Christian church, the Endowment 
Committee submitted a report from which the fol- 
lowing has been taken : 

New Endowment Raised in Woodford County — 6 per 

cent, interest-bearing notes - - - . $25,125.00 

New Endowment Raised Witliout the Count}', bear- 
ing 6 per cent, interest - - - . - - 5,750.00 



Total New Endowment $30,875.00 

College Aid Fund in Treasury - - - $4,375.00 
New Aid Fund Raised in County - - 3,812.55 



$ 8,169.55 

New Bequests $ 1,300.00 

Old Fund Outstanding, but Good and Interest-bearing 12,357.00 
Old Fund in hands of Treasurer, Interest-bearing - 8,000.00 
Total Interest-Bearing Endowment - - - 51,231.00 
Grand Total of all Funds 60,701.55 

ABINGDON COLLEGE CONSOLIDATED WITH EUREKA 
COLLEGE. 

In the summer of 1884, committees of the respec- 
tive colleges, one committee from each, negotiated 
terms of consolidation, and the combination went 
into operation in the following September with a 
Faculty composed as follows : 

J. M. Allen, A. M., President, 
Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy and Sacred History. 

B. J. Radford, A. M., 
Professor of the Bible and Sacred Literature. 



80 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

Carl Johann, A. M., 
Professor of Modern Languages . 

A. S. Fisher, A. M., 
Professor of Mathemutics. 

Andrew J. Youngblood, A. M., 
Professor of Ancient Languages. 

H. L. BrUxVer, a. M., 
Professor of Natural Sciences. 

W. S. Errett, a. M., 
Professor of Mathematics. 

N. L. Richmond, 
Professor of Penmanship, Bookkeeping, Busmess Forms and Stenography. 

J. W. Metcalf, 

Prize Graduate of Soyal Conservatory, Leipsic, Germany, Director of 

School of Music. 

Miss Lettie Bruner, 
Vocalist and Assistant Teacher of Piano and Organ. 

Professor Harold Plowe, 
Instructor of Violin. 

Miss Sadie Garrett, 
Instructor of Drawing and Painting. 

H. L. Bruner, 
Curator of Museum. 

H. N. Herrick. 
Librarian. 

THE ALUMNI ET ALUMN.^. 

At the Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees 
in 1885 the following preamble and resolutions 
were adopted : 

Whereas, an arrangement has been made by which all our 
educational interests of a higher order shall be merged into one 
institution of learning, therefore 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 81 

Resolved, by the Board of Trustees of Eureka College : 

1. That the consolidation of Abingdon College with Eureka 
College, at Eureka, is an event deserving forinal recognition by 
us. 

2. That we fully appreciate the unselfish and catholic spirit 
in which the concessions were made that led to this result by 
those most directly concerned and interested in perpetuating the 
existence of Abingdon College. 

3. That we accept the task imposed by this merging of the 
existence of Abingdon College into the existence of Eureka Col^ 
lege, and, also, which was the controlling motive in bringing it 
about, viz. : To provide for the general control and support of 
our educational interests in the state. 

4. That the Alumni et Alumnte of Abingdon College are 
hereby accepted and recognized as the children of Eureka Col 
lege, and entitled to all the rights, privileges and honors of 
students of Eureka College who have received like degrees, and 
that the Secretary of the Board is hereby instructed to secure the 
names of such graduates, to be enrolled among those of Eureka 
College. 

5. The name of the consoliilated schools shall be Eureka Col- 
lege, and shall be perpetuated under the charter of Eureka 
College. 

6 



CHAPTER YI. 

Union of Abingdon College with Eureka College — The Mission 
Tabernacle — Faculty for 1885-6— Professor A. S. Fisher — 
Session of 1886-7 — Lida's Wood. 

UNION OF ABINGDON COLLEGE WITH EUREKA 
COLLEGE. 

All the friends of Christian education had felt 
for many years that the prospects for establishing 
a strong college, such as the brotherhood in 
Illinois needs, were not flattering, while our forces 
and means and patronage were divided between 
two colleges. It was felt that one of them must 
ultimately give up the struggle, and the uncer- 
tainty as to which one would survive induced 
many to withhold their help, no one desiring to 
invest his means in an institution of learning 
that might close its doors at any time. 

As a result of this, both colleges, though- doing 
much good with their limited means, were greatly 
hampered for lack of sufficient support. Tuition 
fees alone never can support a college, and unless 

material assistance is obtained in the form of 

(82) 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 83 

donations, legacies and endowments, tlie insti- 
tution must either go in debt without prospect 
of ever liquidating its obligations, or it must 
so reduce its corps of teachers and pay the re- 
maining ones such small salaries as to interfere 
materially with the quality of the work. This 
had long been apparent to the Trustees of the 
two colleges. Financial support for each came 
almost exclusively from the localities in which 
the buildings stood The brotherhood in the 
State took very little interest in the work of 
education. Financial agents sent out by the col- 
lege authorities received very little encourage- 
ment, and the future looked very unpromising. 

During the few years just preceding the union 
of the colleges, Abingdon had been even less suc- 
cessful than Eureka in winning the confidence and 
support of the brotherhood, so in the summer of 
1884 the Trustees of Eureka College entered into 
correspondence with Pres. F. M. Bruner, who was 
then at the head of Abingdon College, with" a view 
of uniting all our educational interests in Eureka. 
Several meetings were held, and as a result of 
these meetings Abingdon College ceased to exist 
as a school under the control of the Church of 
Christ. 

Pres. F. M. Bruner and Profs. H. L. Bruner and 
W. S. Errett and Miss Lettie Bruner, who had 
been members of the Faculty of Abingdon College, 



84 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

became teachers in Eureka, and it was felt on 
all sides that the cause of Christian education in 
Illinois had been greatly strengthened by this 
union. 

THE MISSION TABERNACLE. 

Attendance at the Christian Missionary Con- 
vention, which meets annually in Eureka during 
the early part of August, had so steadily increas- 
ed from year to year that the Christian Church, 
in which the meetings were held, became too small 
to hold the audiences. Being always ready to 
do their part, and even more than their part, the 
friends of the college in Eureka decided in 1884 
to build an audience-room on the college campus, 
sufficiently large and commodious to accommodate 
all who might come. This audience-room was 
also to be used for Commencement exercises and 
for other large public meetings. 

The Mission Tabernacle, which was erected for 
this purpose, is a room 80 feet wide by 100 feet 
long; it stands on gently sloping ground and forms 
a natural amphitheater, the speakers' platform 
standing at the lower end. Back of the platform 
there are two rooms, 14 by 16 feet, used as com- 
mittee rooms. The audience-room contains 1,200 
chairs, and is admirably adapted to the pur- 
pose for which it was erected. The structure cost 
about $4,000. 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 85 



FACULTY FOR 1885-6. 

J. M. Allen, A. M., President, 
Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy and Sacred History.- 

W. F. Black, Vice President, 
Lecturer on Biblical Subjects. 

F. M. Bruxer, a. M., 
Professor of Bible and Sacred Literature. 

Carl Johann, A. M., 
Professor of Modern Languages. 

A. S. Fisher, A. M., 
Professor of Mathematics. 

Andrew J. Youngblood, A. M., 
Professor of Ancient Languages. 

H. L. Bruner, a. M., 
Professor of Natural Sciences. 

N. L. Richmond, 
Professor of Penmanship, Boolvkeeping, Business Forms and Stenography. 

Miss Emma Goodspeed, 
Professor of Elocution and English Literature. 

W. Waugh Laj^der, /XjL^ 

Director of School of Music. 

Miss Lettie Bruner, 
V^ocalist and Assistant Teacher of Piano and Organ. 

L. E. Hersey, 
Instructor of Violin. 

Miss Sadie Garrett, 
Instructor in Drawing and Painting. 

H. L. Bruner, 
Curator of Museum. 

H. N. Herrick, 
Librarian. 



86 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE, 

PROF. A. S. FISHER. 

During the summer of 1885 Prof. A. S. Fisher 
severed his connection with Eureka College and 
moved to Kansas City, Mo., where he is living at 
the present time. He was the first teacher of 
Walnut Grove Academy, now known as Eureka 
College, and was connected with the school from 
1848 to 1886. Not often does a teacher remain in 
the same school for thirty-eight years, and this 
long service is in itself sufficient evidence of 
his ability and of his zeal in the cause of educa- 
tion. He saw the institution with which he was 
identitied develop from a little country school, 
taught by one teacher in one little room, to a pros- 
perous college with six buildings, fifteen teachers 
and nearly three hundred students. His influence 
among the students was always good, he was 
highly respected and greatly beloved by all his 
pupils, and hundreds, yea, thousands of young 
persons were led into paths of usefulness by his 
advice and example. 

SESSION 1886-7. 

During this entire session the President, Dr. J. 
M. Allen, was in the field soliciting means for 
the college, and Carl Johann acted as President 
pro tern., otherwise the Faculty was substantially 
the same as during the previous session. At the 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 87 

end of this session Dr. Allen resigned the presi- 
dency to become the financial agent of the col- 
lege, and Carl Johann was elected to take his 
place in that responsible position. He accepted 
the honor thns conferred on him, and the ses- 
sion 1887-8 opened with the following Faculty : 



Cabl Johann, A. M. LL. D., President, 
Professor of Modern Languages. 

W. F. Black, A. M., Vice President, 
Lecturer on Biblical Subjects. 

F. M. Bruner, a. M., 
Professor of the Bible and Sacred Literature. 

A. J. YOUNGBLOOD, A. M., 
Professor of Ancient Languages. 

H. N. Herrick, a. B., 
Professor of Mathematics. 

Seth E. Meek, M. S., 
Professor of Natural Sciences. 

James Chalmers, A. B,, 
Professor of English Language and Literature. 

G. W. HOOTMAN, 

Professor of Penmanship, Bookkeeping and Business Forms. 

Mlss Estelle Franklin, 
Director of the School of Music, Piano. 

L. E. Hersey, 
Instructor of Violin. 

Mrs. S. E. Meek, 
Teacher of Vocal Culture. 

Miss Mina Vandervort, 
Instructor in Drawing and Painting. 



88 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

S. E. Meek, 
Curator of Museum. 

Dr. J. M. Allen and W. H. Boles, 
Financial Agents. 

lida's wood. 

Slowly but steadily the attendance of students 
had been increasing during the last few j^ears, 
owing mainly to the better work done by the 
college and to judicious advertising. One of the 
greatest needs at this time was better and more 
abundant boarding facilities, especially for young 
ladies that came to Eureka. Tlie college had two 
boarding halls at this time, a two-and-a-half story 
frame house occupied by young ladies and a 
two-story brick hall for gentlemen, but both were 
crowded. The halls were not very modern in 
appearance. A large, new, modern boarding hall 
was imperatively needed, and the Trustees were 
formulating plans to secure the means to erect 
one when Bro. and Sister W. J. Ford tendered 
them the gift of their beautiful residence locat- 
ed on a four-acre tract of ground adjoining the 
college, said property to be used as a boarding 
hall for young ladies. Only two conditions were 
attached to the gift. These were : 

1. That the property should be known as 
"Lida's Wood," in memory of their deceased 
daughter Lida, a beautiful and noble girl 13 years 
of age who had died a short time before, and 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 89 

to wliom the natural grove of noble forest trees 
on the premises had been an especial and con- 
tinual delight. 

2. That the Trustees should during the follow- 
ing summer build an addition to the residence, 
sufficiently large to provide accommodation for at 
least fifty boarders. 

At a meeting of the Board of Trustees held' 
April 19, 1888, the generous offer was accepted and 
the following resolution adopted: 

Resolved, That the Trustees of Eureka College, in session 
assembled, tender to Bro. W. J. Ford and his wife their sincere 
thanks for the liberal donation of their residence property near 
the college, said property to be used as a boarding hall for the 
purpose of assisting in educating worth)' young ladies who may 
attend said college. 

A soliciting and building committee was im- 
mediately appointed, and preparations were made 
to build a hall that should be a model in every 
respect. 

The residence already on the ground was built 
of brick, two-and-a half stories high, substantial, 
commodious and lavishly decorated. The interior 
finish was of polished hardwood, and the mantels 
were of white marble. The ground surrounding 
the building is covered with magnificent shade 
trees, and is as lovely a playground for the 
boarders as can be found anywhere. 

The soliciting committee met with success, and 



90 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

before the college session opened in September 
the addition was completed at an expense of 
$10,000. 

Though Lida;'s Wood contained forty rooms, it 
was filled with boarders from the very begin- 
ning, and went far toward making the college 
more popular. 

During the encampments of the Missionary Con- 
vention, which are held annually in Eureka, 
Lida's Wood is thrown open to the delegates, and 
hundreds are boarded there. Lida's Wood was 
always popular with the students, and would 
have been so for many years to come had not th© 
iire-tiend reduced it to ashes January 11, 1894. 
At 4 o'clock p. M. lire was dete^cted in the roof; it 
spread rapidly, notwithstanding the heroic efforts 
made to extinguish thefiaraes, and before 7 o'clock 
p. M. the beautiful building was a heap of smolder- 
ing ruins. Thanks to the help rendered by the 
students and citizens who arrived upon the scene 
soon after the fire began, all the property of 
the boarders, as well as much of the furniture, was 
saved and no one was injured. 

While the fire was still raging all the young 
ladies who boarded at Lida's Wood were provided 
with comfortable homes by the residents of 
Eureka. Insurance on the building, amounting 
to $9,000, was paid by the underwriters without 
bickering or quibbling. 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 91 

The Trustees of the college have already de- 
cided to rebuild Lida's Wood, and it is hoped 
that the $9,000 insurance money, together with 
voluntary contributions from the friends of the 
college throughout the State, will enable them 
to replace the building before the beginning of 
the session of 1894-5. The college has enjoyed the 
benefits of Lida's Wood for six years, and the hall 
has been of such marked advantage to the success 
of the work that a failure to rebuild immediately 
would greatly hinder our progress. Many par- 
ents send their daughters to Eureka College be- 
cause they can here secure home comforts for 
them in a boarding hall under the immediate 
supervision of the Faculty, and there is no doubt 
that the attendance would in the future be ma- 
terially reduced if the hall was not rebuilt. 



CHAPTER yif. 

Burgess Memorial Hall— Session of 1892-3— Session of 1893-4— 
The Present Condition and Needs of Eureka College. 

BUEGESS MEMORIAL HALL. 

On the 8tli of January, 1890, the following reso- 
lution was adopted by the Board of Trustees : 

Whereas, the attendance in Eureka College has more than 
doubled in the last few years, and 

Whereas, the buildings now used by the College are entirely 
inadequate to accommodate the students attending, and 

Whereas, we anticipate a still larger attendance next session, 
therefore 

Besolved, That three new buildings are now needed, to wit : 
One recitation building and two boarding halls, and that we 
earnestly request the friends of the college to assist us in obtain- 
ing means to erect them. 

This resolution indicates the condition of the 
college at that time. The boarding halls were 
full and the college buildings so crowded that 
there were not rooms enough for the number of 
teachers employed. In several instances, two 
teachers had to occupy the same room on alternate 

hours to hear their classes. The work was thus 

(92) 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 93 

retarded considerably and made very unsatisfac- 
tory to all parties concerned. 

This resolution was quite appropriate, but res- 
olutions do not provide funds. To carry out the 
purposes therein indicated at least $50,000 were 
necessary, and the Trustees, through many jears 
of experience, had learned how difficult it is to 
induce persons of means to give a part of the 
wealth accumulated by them for educational and 
religious purposes. Financial agents had been in 
the field for years, and notwithstanding their best 
efforts they were scarcely able to collect means 
enough to cover the deficit that mast of necessity 
appear annually in any college whose income from 
tuition is not supplemented by large revenues from 
invested endowment funds. The Trustees also re- 
membered that Eureka College was largely found- 
ed on faith; that faith had sustained them and the 
Faculty during the darkest hour of the history of 
the college, and it was faith in the friends of edu- 
cation that prompted them to adopt the resolution 
and publish it to the world. 

The President of the Faculty and the Financial 
Agent were then instructed to correspond with the 
friends of the college, with a view to inducing 
them to make liberal donations toward the three 
buildings desired. The recitation building was an 
absolute necessity, and all efforts were directed in- 
to that channel. 



94 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

Many persons were written to and visited, but no 
one was found who would or could begin a sub- 
scription list with a considerable sum. Progress 
was very slow, and it seemed as though nothing- 
would be accomplished, when, after an extended 
correspondence, and after having made two visits 
to her home in Indianapolis, Ind., President Johann 
was able to report to the Board of Trustees at a 
called meeting, December 15th, 1890, that Sister 0. 
A. Burgess had decided to give the college $10,000 
for the purpose of erecting a new building, provid- 
ed $10,000 more be subscribed for the same purpose 
by the friends of the college in Illinois before the 
first day of June, 1891. 

After the report had been made the Board adopt- 
ed the following resolution : 

Resolved, That the Board of Trustees of Eureka College here- 
by take great pleasure in acknowledging the proposed donation 
from Sister O. A. Burgess, for the purpose of erecting a college 
building. We hereby, in a body assembled, unanimously tender 
Sister Burgess our most sincere thanks for her substantial appre- 
ciation of the good work our worthy institution is accomplishing, 
and pray that God may bless both the giver and her gift to His 
glory. 

A copy of this resolution was ordered sent to 
Sister Burgess by the Secretary, and in due course 
of time the following characteristic letter was re- 
ceived in return : 

Indianapolis, Ind., Dec. 21st, 1890. 
Mr. R. D. Smith, Secretary Eureka College. 

Dear Brother: Yours of the 16th received, informing me of 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 95 

the action of the Trustees of Eureka College, touching the do- 
nation which I propose making to be used by them in the 
erection of a new and modern college building. 

I wish to thank them for their courteous consideration and 
to assure them that their action is appreciated. It is my desire 
to do the greatest possible good with the means that our 
Heavenly Father has seen fit to intrust to my keeping, and it 
is with that end in view that I have decided to aid the Trus- 
tees of Eureka College in providing more ample facilities for 
the education of young men and women. 

The demand for educated men and women to do the Lord's 
work was never more urgent than now. 

Hoping that Eureka College may very soon be thoroughly 
equipped and ready to do well her part toward meeting the de- 
mand, I remain, Respectfully, 

(Signed) Mrs. O. A. Burgess. 

This letter is here given in full because it so 
beautifully sets forth the disinterested generosity 
of the donor, and because it is hoped that it 
may be an example to others who have been 
blessed with abundant means. 

A gift made with such evident cheerfulness and 
for such a noble purpose, is a source of constant 
blessing both to the giver and to the receiver. 

May the influence of the religion of our Lord 
Jesus Christ induce many others to imitate the 
worthy example of Sister Burgess. 

In 1890 Eureka College was 35 years old, and 
the above named gift was the largest single dona- 
tion ever made to that institution. 

The Board of Trustees now felt that a new build- 
ing was practically assured, and they excused 



96 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

President Johann froiri class work clurino- the 
winter term, that he might go out to solicit the 
$10,000 necessary to make Sister Burgess' donation 
available. 

Before the 1st day of June arrived, the President 
and Brother J. G. Waggoner, who at that time was 
pastor of the Church of Christ in Eureka and who 
volunteered to assist in raising funds, had suc- 
ceeded in securing pledges for $13,000, and on the 
above named day the President went to Indianap- 
olis to report to Sister Burgess and to show to her 
that the Trustees had done the work assigned to 
them. The report was satisfactory, and her dona- 
tion was turned over to the Trustees. 

The solicitors who visited the friends of the 
college were v^ell received everywhere and liberal 
donations were made by nearly all who were 
approached. 

An architect was engaged and plans made for a 
three story modern building which, when complet- 
ed, cost §21,000. 

It was named Burgess Memorial Hall for two 
reasons : 

1. Because Sister Burgess made the largest con- 
tribution to the building fund. 

2. Because her deceased husband, in whose 
memory she made the donation, had been a Pro- 
fi\ssor and Acting President for a time in the col- 
lege. 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 97 

As soon as all tlie preliminaries had been ar- 
ranged, contracts were let and building operations 
were commenced. The cornerstone was laid with 
imposing ceremonies October 14, 1891, and work 
was continued throughout the winter, whenever the 
weather would permit. 

Though not yet provided with the necessary fur- 
niture, the building was de licated to the cause of 
Education and Christianity during the State Meet- 
ing in August, 1891, when friends were present 
from all parts of Illinois and adjoining States. 

The subscriptions made had been sufficient to 
pay for the building, and it was dedicated free of 
debt, but no heating apparatus and no furniture 
had yet been provided. Pledges were asked for 
at the State Meeting, and in a few moments §3,- 
000 were subscribed. A steam heating plant was 
at once ordered, and elegant, substantial modern 
furniture was purchased for all the rooms, so that 
Burgess Hall was thoroughly equipped and ready 
when the students returned in September, 1892. 

Burgess Hall is by far the best college building 
we now have, and, together with the other build- 
ings, gives us ample accommodations for 500 stu- 
dents. It is built of pressed red brick with gray 
sandstone trimmings, and contains the following 
rooms : 

Ground Floor. — President's office, three rooms 
7 



98 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

for the department of Natural Sciences, and one 
each for Modern Languages and Latin. 

Second Floor. — Two rooms for the Bible depart- 
ment, and one each for the departments of Greek, 
English and Mathematics. The Library is also on 
this tioor. 

Third Floor. — One room for the Art Department 
and two for the Commercial Department. The 
room for Actual Business Practice on the third 
floor is eighty feet square and is undoubtedly the 
largest and best equipped business room in the 
State. 

The furniture throughout the building is of solid 
oak, elegantly varnished and exactly adapted to 
our wants. 

SESSION 1892-93. 

The erection of Lida's Wood in 1888 and the 
completion of Burgess Hall in 1892 gave the col- 
lege such an impetus that even the warmest.friends 
of Eureka were surprised. Daring devotional 
exercises the chapel was every morning crowded 
with as bright and well behaved a body of stu- 
dents as could be found anywhere. Without 
the new buildings we would have been utterly un- 
able to provide for their wants. The increase in 
the number of students compelled the Board of 
Trustees to enlarge the Faculty, and the session 
was begun with the following corps of instructors : 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

Carl Johann, A. M., LL.D , President, 
Professor of Modern Languages. 

B. C. Deweese, a. M., 
Professor of the John Darst Chair of Sacred Literature. 

H. N. Herrick, a. M., 
Professor of Greek and Sanslcrit. 

J. M. Atwater, a. M., 
Professor of Latin and History. 

G. A. Miller, A. M., Ph. D., 

Professor of Mathematics. 

R. E. CONKLIN, A. M., 
Professor of Natural Sciences. 

R. E. Hieronymus, A. M., 
Professor of English Literature. 

H. A. MiNASsiAN, A. M., M. D., 
Professor of Sacred History. 

W. T. Jackson, A. M., 
Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences. 

G. W. HOOTMAN, 

Principal of Commercial Department. 

O. J. Page, 
Assistant in Commercial Work. 

Mlss Mellie Alvey, 
Directcg." of School of Music, Piano. 

Miss Janie Vandervort. 
Teacher of Vocal Culture and Harmony. 

Mrs. Jessie Minassian, M. E. L., 
Teacher of Drawing and Painting. 

Miss Annie J. Jones, M. A., 
Teacher of Elocution. 

Miss Belle Eggert, 
Teacher of Type Writing and Shorthand. 

R. O. Smalley, 
Teacher of Type Writing and Shorthand. 



100 HISTOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

F. W. BURNHAM, 

Teacher of Telegraphy and Railroad Bookkeeping. 

F. M. BuziCK, 
Teacher of Penmanship. 

386 students attended college during this session, 
the largest attendance the college ever had. The 
work done was eminently satisfactory, and pros- 
pects brighter than ever. 

SESSION 1893-94. 

Progress and development being ever our watch- 
word, this session could not be an exception to 
the rule. 

Knowing that young people who spend much of 
their time in study must take regular and system- 
atic physical exercise, the Trustees purchased, in 
1890, a live-acre park near the campus and gave it 
to the students as an athletic park. This action 
greatly stimulated interest in athletic exercises, 
but, unfortunately, a park can 'be used for phys- 
ical exercise only in the fall and spring, when the 
weather is mild. In the winter, when students 
were most in need of such exercise, it could not 
be had. A gymnasium was needed and the Trus- 
tees made arrangements for it. The four rooms on 
the second and third floors, on the east side of the 
old recitation building, were set apart for this pur- 
pose. Partition walls and the floor between the 
second and third stories were removed, throwing the 



HISTOEY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 101 

four rooms into one. This room was neatly fin- 
ished and provided with a fall set of the best ap- 
paratus to be had. To-day Eureka College has a 
first-class gj^'mnasium, giving students abundant 
opportunities to keep their physical faculties well 
developed while improving their mental and moral 
natures. 

The years 1893 and 1894 will ever be memorable 
on account of the great and disastrous financial 
panic, affecting all the enterprises of our country. 
All enterprises are suff'ering because of the lack 
of confidence and money. Colleges are not ex- 
empted. Many persons still consider an education 
as a luxury, and refrain from sending their children 
to school when hard times come. 

Though many colleges suffered severely and some 
lost as much, as 50 per cent in attendance, when com- 
pared with the preceding session. Eureka College 
held her own remarkably well. Though the at- 
tendance is somewhat smaller than last year, the 
decrease is only about 8 per cent, giving us no good 
ground for complaint. A remarkable circumstance 
in connection with this appalling financial depres- 
sion is that, notwithstanding this distress. Eureka 
College has received larger donations during the 
last six months than during any period of equal 
length since the institution was organized. Two 
of the friends of the college, who have often made 
donations in the past, gave us this year $5,000 



102 HISTOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

each, and two other friends, who had remembered 
the college in their wills, passed away and left us 
$2,500 and $10,000 respectively. Other smaller 
donations were received which swelled our avail- 
able assets by about $25,000. We have, therefore, 
abundant reasons to be grateful to our Heavenly 
Father for the great prosperity that has attended 
us. At the present time the Faculty consists of 
the following members : 

Carl Johann, A. M., LL. D., President, 
Professor of Modern Languages. 

B. C. Deweese, a. M., 
Professor of the John Darst Chair of Sacred Literature. 

B. J. Radford, A. M., LL. D., 

Professor of Latin and History. 

H. N. Herrick, a. M., 
Professor of Greek and Sanskrit. 

S. D. Vawter, a. M., 
Professor of Mathematics. 

R. E. CONKLIN, A. M., 
Professor of Natural Sciences. 

R. E. HiERONYMUS, A. M., 
Professor of English Literature. 

G. W. Hootman, 
Principal of Commercial Department. 

Miss Mellie Alvey, 
Director of School of Music, Piano. 

A. T. Smith, 
Teacher of Vocal Music. 

Miss Mattie Naramore, 
Teacher of Drawing and Painting. 

Miss Annie J. Jones, 
Teacher of Elocution. 



HISTORY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 103 

Miss Belle Eggert, 
Teacher of Typewriting and Shorthand. 

J. T. Allison, 
Teacher of Typewriting and Shortliand. 

F. W. BURNHAM, 

Teacher of Telegraphy and Railroad Bookkeeping. 



THE PRESENT CONDITION AND NEEDS OF EUREKA 
COLLEGE. 

Ever since 1848 the work of educating the 
hearts and heads of the young people who have 
come to Eureka for an education has been con- 
tinued without interruption. From a very insig- 
niticant beginning, the enterprise has gradually 
developed until to-day the Board of Trustees hold 
in trust for the brotherhood of Illinois the follow- 
ing real estate : 

A beautiful campus covered with stately forest 
trees on which are located the following buildings. 
The Old Recitation Building, the Chapel, Burgess 
Memorial Hall and the Mission Tabernacle. Ad- 
joining the campus to the west is a three acre lot 
on which stand the two boarding halls for gentle- 
men. Adjoining the campus to the northeast is a 
four acre tract on which Lida's Wood, the Ladies' 
Boarding Hall, stood till it was destroyed by fire 
January lltli, 1894. This hall will be immediate- 
ly rebuilt. Southeast of the campus lies the five- 
acre Athletic Park. 



104 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

This property, wortli at least $75,000, is encum- 
bered by a mortgage of $9,000. The productive 
Endowment Fund is very small, amounting to not 
more than $30,000, and is entirely inadequate to 
provide the means necessary to carry on the work 
as it might be done and to make necessary im- 
provements. Nine-tenths of all the means ex- 
pended in developing Eureka College from its 
humble beginning, have been contributed by the 
citizens of Eureka and vicinity, yet nearly every 
community in the State of Illinois is reaping the 
benefits of the work done in Eureka, by having 
among its most influential citizens men and women 
educated in Eureka. 

Hundreds of Eureka students have gone to other 
states, and we are proud to say that, wherever they 
are, their influence is for the good, the pure and 
the noble. 

Eureka students are filling pulpits in nearly 
every State in the Union, and eternity alone can 
tell how much good has been done, is being done 
and will be done in the future by men and women 
educated in Eureka. 

The primary aim of this college is to send Chris- 
tian scholars out into the world, for we believe that 
the best results can be obtained only by Christian- 
izing learning. 

What the college needs now is an Endowment 
Fund suflUciently large to give the Trustees an as- 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 105 

sured permanent income, and we earnestly plead 
with those who have been blessed with an abund- 
ance of this world's goods to help our work with 
liberal donations. We can not conceive of any 
way in which money could be used to better ad- 
vantage to the glory of God and the welfare of 
humanity. Many could help us while they are 
living and have the satisfaction of witnessing the 
good results produced by their liberality. Many 
more should remember Eureka College when mak- 
ing final disposition of the means intrusted to their 
care by Providence. Within the last year several 
friends have remembered the college while making 
their wills, and two legacies amounting to S12,500 
have come to us during the last six months. May 
we not hope that the good work will go on, and 
that the coming years will bring many more such 
gifts ? In making your will, the following form 
might be used : 

" I give, grant and bequeath to the Board of 
Trustees of the Eureka College, located in Eureka, 
Illinois, the sum of dollars, said sum to be- 
come part of the permanent endowment of said 
college." 

Harvard College has an endowment of eight mil- 
lion dollars, Columbia College has eleven millions, 
and the young Chicago University already has 
four millions. Think how much good Eureka 
might do if she had a large endowment fund, and 



106 HIS TOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

help, to the utmost of your ability, to make it 
larger. 

Eureka College is steadily growing in efficiency. 
The catalogue to be issued this summer will show 
that the course of studies has been enlarged so as 
to require of the student one year more of work 
before graduation, and requirements for admission 
will henceforth include the following : 

Knowledge of Mathematics through Geometry ; 
two years of Latin, one year of Greek or German, 
an elementary knowledge of Botany, Zoology and 
Physiology and a thorough knowledge of English 
Grammar and Rhetoric. The curriculum of Eureka 
College is now as complete and comprehensive as 
that of any college in the West. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 




1 Jolin T. Jones. 



2 E. Di(.'kinson. 



l}c.^.-<iti-iH.'ji; .&>. -rr.: 
3 A. G. Ewiiig. 



CHAPTER I. 

PBESIBEXTS OF THE BOABD OF TB US TEES. 

John T. Jones — Ben Major — Elijah Dickinson — Albert G. Ewing 
— John Darst. 

JOHN T. JONES. 

In 1795, in Bucks county, Penn., there was glad- 
ly welcomed into the family of Joshua Jones and 
his wife Eleanor Thoinas, a son, who received the 
name of his maternal grandfather, John Thomas. 

They were of Welsh descent, and young John 
T. grew up under the stern discipline and constant 
toil usual at the time. 

The community was, religiously, Quaker and 
Baptist. The old stone Baptist church called 
Pennepek, that five years ago celebrated its second 
centennial, still stands, and here the subject of 
this sketch received his first religious impressions. 

Soon after attaining his majority, he went to 
Cincinnati, where he married Miss Ann B. Law- 
rence, who was called home in a few years, leav- 
ing one son. 

In 1827 he married Miss Emily Woodward, and 

(109) 



110 HISTORY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

in 1831 moved to Jacksonville, 111. His business 
capacity, habits of industry and acknowledged in- 
tegrity of character, gave him many positions of 
honor and trust. At an early day in " The Re- 
formation," having united with the Church of 
Christ, he decided to prepare himself for the min- 
istry and devoted his spare time to Bible study. 

He loved the society of the children of God and 
was most loyal to his brethren. His house was 
the preacher's home, and in dispensing his gener- 
ous hospitality was ably assisted by his ,wife, a 
lady of rare refinement, amiability and intellect- 
ual culture. 

He was liberal almost to a fault, and the church 
with which he was connected ever found him one 
of its most reliable supporters. Mr. Jones was 
reticent, grave and dignified in demeanor and had 
an habitual reserve of manner that repelled famil 
iarity ; but his heart glowed with a fervor of affec- 
tion that his exterior did not indicate. 

In 1847 he moved with his family to Walnut 
Grove, Woodford county, Illinois. He entered 
with zest into all the plans for the moral and in- 
tellectual development of the place. He was 
chosen a trustee of the infant college and for 
twenty-five years never failed to be present at the 
annual meetings of the Board. 

In so limited a sketch it is impossible even to 
touch upon the events of a life covering 82 years ; 




BEN MAJOR, 



BIOGBAPHICAL. HI 

but what one is is of far greater importance than 
what he does^ and here we can only mention the 
prominent traits forming a character of rare firm- 
ness and conscientious activity. 

Mr. Jones was progressive and never grew too 
old to be the friend and adviser of the young 
preachers. They have called him their "father." 

His last years were spent in the family of his 
son, J. Janvier Jones, in Eureka, kindly and ten- 
derly cared for by his son's wife, Mrs. Lucy Major 
Jones, until his change came, May 14th, 1877, at 
the age of 82 years. 

Like the setting of the sun in a clear sky, his 
life closed peacefully and beautifully, with the 
firm assurance that for him a new and brighter 
day would dawn. S. E. G. 



BEN MAJOR. 

Ben Major was born in Franklin county, Ken- 
tucky, Oct. 31st, 1796. He was the son of John 
and Judith (Trabue) Major. His paternal and 
maternal ancestors were French Huguenots, who 
came to the colony of Virginia in 1699, after the 
revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. Pre- 
vious to this they had been refugees in England, 
and were sent to Virginia by the charity of King 
William, and became naturalized by a particular 
law for that purpose. 



112 HIS TOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

In all, there were about eight hundred men, 
women and children who had tied from France on 
account of their religious opinions. 

They first settled in Powhatan county, but from 
that point they scattered throughout the colony, 
some settling on a rich tract of land about twenty 
miles above the falls of James River, the Majors 
and Trabues going to Franklin county. 

The memory of their first home was preserved 
by the name Powhatan being given as a Christian 
name to their children. 

About 1790 many families came to Kentucky 
from Virginia, among them Mr. Major's father and 
mother and other relatives. Coming there before 
Kentucky was admitted to the Union, they settled 
in that part of the State that was afterward Frank- 
lin county, supposed to be named from the coun- 
ty they had left in Virginia. 

That they were people of culture and refine- 
ment will be seen from books, silver and furniture 
over one hundred years old still in possession of 
the family. Here the subject of this sketch was 
born and passed his childhood. His father was a 
farmer, as were nearly all the settlers in Franklin 
county at that time. They made homes similar to 
those still seen in the blue grass regions, and they 
were like no other farms in the United States. 

The farms were large, the farm houses being 
placed in the center, surrounded by wide pastures. 



BIO GBAPHIdL . 113 

more like parks in England. They engaged in 
stock-raising, and in the cnltivation of corn and 
tobacco, and in a few years were in easy circum- 
stances. They spun their own cotton, iiax and 
wool, and wove cloth, sending the surplus to New 
Orleans, and exchanging it for foreign goods. 

In such surroundings Ben Major's youthful days, 
were spent. His education was derived from pri- 
vate teachers, as schools were few in number. 
Two or three families would employ a teacher, or 
they would employ one in each family ; rarely 
some were sent a-vay to college. 

His education seems to have been above that of 
the average young man of the day, as ^vell-worii 
volumes of Shakespeare, Paradise Lost and Lalla 
Rookh will attest, and he was ever a reader and 
student throughout his life. 

When about eighteen years of age, an older 
brother, John, went to New Orleans to engage in 
business, and the following year Ben went to assist 
him. They continued in business for almost five 
years. 

While tliey were there their mother died, in 
1817, and the next year John died with yellow 
fever, leaving Ben alone in New Orleans. He 
closed up the business the following year and re- 
turned to Kentucky. 

His father, in the meantime, had sold his farm 
in Franklin county and moved to the southern 



114 HISTOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

part of the State, into Christian county, which was 
being settled at that time. After his return from 
New Orleans, he spent some time in the neighbor- 
hood of his old home, visiting relatives and renew- 
ing old acquaintances. Here he met Miss Lucy 
Davenport, whom he married Jan. 15, 1820. 
About this time his only sister, Eliza Major, mar- 
ried William Davenport, a brother of his wife. 

After his marriage he went to Christian county, 
and opened a new farm, and soon made for his 
family a comfortable home. His father had 
brought his slaves from Virginia, and when he 
moved to Christian county, took them with him. 
Here, with the help of his slaves, Ben Major soon 
had his farm under cultivation, and was one of 
the foremost business men of the county. 

About 1827 or 8, his health failed ; indeed his 
health had not been good since leaving New 
Orleans. After trying many doctors with little or 
no success, he was led to try the Tliompsonian 
system, and after much study and successful treat- 
ment of himself he began the practice of medi- 
cine, and continued it for over three years before 
leaving Kentucky, and afterward in Illinois, where 
doctors were few, and from eight to twenty miles 
distant. As he was a good nurse as well as a 
physician, he was often called upon for his ser- 
vices, and there are people in Eureka to-day who 
owe their Jives to his skill and gentle nursing. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 115 

He was almost a physician without price, as his 
services were nearly always gratuitous. If any of 
the neighbors were sick, he would leave his work 
and stay with them until the danger was past. 

From his childhood he had serious doubts on 
the slavery question, and with such doubts made 
the subject one continuous study. As he reached 
mature years, these doubts were swept away, and 
he became convinced that the whole system was 
radically wrong ; and being a man who acted upon 
his own convictions of what his particular duty 
was to his God and fellowmen, he marked out a 
course and matured plans for his own guidance ; 
a course which was at variance with all his early 
teachings, and antagonistic to all his family and 
society relations. 

But fully realizing his duty to the dependent 
creatures under his control, and the obligations he 
owed to his children fast gathering around him, he 
never once hesitated (although at that time it meant 
almost financial ruin), but determined not only to 
liberate and colonize his slaves, but at the same 
time to liberate himself and his immediate family 
from even a taint of the curse of slavery. He 
realized that his slaves were not fully prepared for 
so great a change, and spent many months, even 
years, in educating them to the proper point ; 
spent long evenings in reading to them all avail- 
able matter that would in any way shed light on 



116 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

their darkened minds. At first they absolutely 
refused to entertain a thought of freedom on any 
grounds. With a kind and considerate master 
and mistress, and surrounded by all the comforts 
of which their ignorant minds could conceive, 
they had no desire for a change. But by a care- 
ful and well-devised system of teaching, he finally 
brought them to consider the matter in the proper 
light, and consent to be colonized and become free 
men and women. 

Late in the spring of 1831, leaving all his farm- 
ing operations in the care of his trusted slaves, he 
started with buoyant spirits, a light heart, and, we 
may add, a clear conscience, to hnd a home in 
some free State ; and and after a long journey 
iilone and on horseback, he reached what is now 
Woodford county, Illinois, and found a small set- 
tlement on the banks of Walnut Greek. 

This being the spring after the deep snow, he 
found in June evidences of it in the drifts along 
the few fences. He was well pleased with all the 
conditions and with the noble band of men and 
women whom he found here. His practical mind 
was much impressed with the boundless prairies 
and the grand forests, and with his penetrating 
vision he saw in this land great possibilities for 
the future, where he and his sons and daughters 
might, by their own exertions and toil make free 
homes for themselves and those that might follow. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 117 

Being now fully satisfied that he had found that 
for which he sought, his mission in Illinois for the 
present ended, he returned to Kentucky, not being 
able or prepared to purchase or enter land. He 
returned to Illinois in 1833, and entered and pur- 
chased about eight hundred acres of land, locat- 
ing on the east side of the Grove, choosing for his 
future home a tract one half mile southeast of 
where Eureka College now stands. He then re- 
turned to Kentucky to fully carry out all his 
plans, for which he had been working so long. 
He could make no arrangements for the transport- 
ation of his colored people in 1834, so they were 
hired out to other planters for one year, the slaves 
to receive their own wages. 

In the fall of 1835, all things being in readiness, 
he sent his agent to New York with the slaves, 
who were taken in charge by the American Colon- 
ization Society and sent to the colony of Liberia^ 
Mr. Major being a life member of the Society 
and an earnest reader for many years of the Afri- 
can Repository, its official organ. He incurred all 
the expense of sending the negroes, and furnished 
them with clothing, supplies and implements. 
After reaching their new home, a regular corre- 
spondence was kept up, and many welcome letters 
were written and received, they invariably ad- 
dressing him as "Dear Father." Many of these 



118 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

treasured letters are still kept by members of the 
family as sacred mementos. 

Nothing had been heard definitely from these 
people since 1858, when one of the negroes, whose 
father and mother had been slaves of Mr. Harlan 
and Mr. Major, was sent to this country on official 
business for the colony, and while in the United 
States visited Eureka and spoke in the old church, 
and gave an account of their manner of living, de- 
scribing their school system and church advan- 
tages. 

He thought the prospect for the future of Liberia 
was good. But of late years news has come that 
the native tribes have caused much trouble to the 
colony. 

In 1827 or 8, Ben Major, who had long been a 
member of the Baptist Church, with many others 
in that part of Kentucky with like views, united 
and organized the Christian Church at Noah 
Springs, which was a noted landmark in the early 
days of the A. Campbell reformation. 

In October of 1834 he loaded his goods in wag- 
ons drawn by oxen, and started for the Illinois 
home. The family at this time numbered seven 
persons, Ben Major and wife, Lucy, and five chil- 
dren, John, Judith A., William, Ben and Lucy. 
(After coming here they were blessed with three 
other children, Jo, Ann Eliza and Chastine.) Mrs. 
Major with the three youngest children rode in a 



BIOGBAPHICAL. 119 

buggy, the other two children, fourteen and ten 
years of age respectively, riding on horseback. 
Two of the slaves assisted with the stock as far as 
Carlinville, III., returning to Kentucky from there. 
And thus began what would seem to us a long, 
tedious journey. But in after years the trip be- 
tween Illinois and Kentucky was often made, 
before railroads were in existence. 

The time taken in moving out, some two weeks, 
was enjoyed by all, the weather being delightful. 
Reaching Walnut Grove the last day in October, 
they, after viewing their future home, went to Wil- 
liam Davenport's, who had moved out the spring 
before, and had settled at the head of the Grove. 
It was a joyful meeting in a new land, with an un- 
tried future facing them. 

After resting here a few days, he moved on his 
own farm into a house built of logs and contain- 
ing two rooms, in which they lived two years, 
the time being passed in opening up a new farm. 
Prairie had to be broken and fences made. While 
there was no clearing to be done, as in Kentucky, 
yet rails had to be made, and there being at that 
time excellent timber, the ax formed an important 
factor. Neighbors were far apart, but neighbors 
they were in fact and deed. They found such men 
as John Oatman, Joseph Henry, Noel Meek, Caleb 
Davidson, David Deweese, Daniel Travis, William 



120 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

Davenport and Mordecai Bullock, with some 
others. 

In 1835 and 6, many more came, prominent 
among them, B. J. Radford, Elijah Dickinson, E. 
B. and A. M. Myers and Thomas Bullock, all seek- 
ing and finding pleasant homes in this free land. 

The planting of fruit trees of all varieties was 
one of their first cares, sending to Tennessee and 
even as far as Harper's Ferry, Va., for them, which 
in a few years yielded them abundant crops. 
Small fruits grew wild in great abundance. Game 
of all kinds was plentiful, and to be had merely 
for the taking. 

After living in the log house for two years, Mr. 
Major began the erection of a frame house, which re- 
quired several years for its completion. The frame 
in all its parts had to be hewn in the timber, and 
all the lumber hauled from a saw-mill on the Illi- 
nois River, more than twenty miles distant, but, 
after completion, making a very comfortable and, 
in those days, rather an imposing farm house. 

Here he planted fruit, shade and ornamental 
trees, many of which remain. On his arrival here 
he found a few members of the Christian Church, 
and a church organization, but weak in numbers, 
under the care of Elder John Oatman. In 1885 it 
was reorganized, and Ben Major chosen as one of 
the elders, an office which he retained until his 
death. At first the meetings were held in the log 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 121 

houses of the settlers. In warm weather the meet- 
ings were regularly held in the barns of Uncle 
Caleb Davidson and David Deweese, and in the 
shady forest. Afterward meetings were held in 
the school-house until the old church was built, 
on the site of the present cemetery. This old 
church has been gone many years, but around it, 
for many of the older people of Eureka, cling 
many sweet memories. 

As the children of these early settlers grew up, 
they one and all realized the need of a higher ed- 
ucation, the teachers they then employed not 
being able to instruct their pupils farther than the 
" three R's." After much thought and consulta- 
tion, they determined to make personal sacrifices 
and if possible employ better teachers. 

Money was scarce, and how it was accomplished, 
and how they builded better than they knew, is 
recorded in this history. Of the many personal 
sacrifices made, only those who made them know. 
After many unsuccessful attempts, they finally 
procured the services of A. S. Fisher, and the 
foundation-stone of Eureka College was laid. 

Though death claimed Ben Major in the prime 
of his useful manhood, he yet lived to see the be- 
ginning of his fondest hopes realized. In the 
spring of 1852, his brother-in-law, William Dav- 
enport, while in St. Louis, came in contact with 
some cases of cholera, and after returning home 



122 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

was taken sick, but recovered, no one supposing at 
that time that cholera was in our midst. 

His wife, Mr. Major's sister, was the next victim. 
They sent hastily for her brother. The family 
were at breakfast when the messenger arrived, and 
without a thought for himself, leaving the meal 
untasted, he hastened to his sister's side, there to 
remain until death released her from her suffering. 

All then knew that the dread epidemic had 
gained a firm foothold. Returning home accom- 
panied by his nephew, Joseph Davenport, both 
were taken ill. From the first Mr. Major seemed 
to realize that his case was a hopeless one, and 
showed great presence of mind and unselfish devo- 
tion to others in directing their treatment. So, 
heroically and without complaint, he breathed his 
last. Joseph Davenport survived him only a few 
hours. Another nephew, John Davenport, also 
died, making four deaths in so short a time. 

These were indeed sad times for the bereaved 
families. Many were the kind offices rendered. 
The loving sympathy of the entire community was 
tendered the saddened families, all feeling keenly 
the loss of a dear and tried friend. Departing 
this life with so many of his Christian plans only 
fairly begun, yet he died in the firm, unshaken 
faith that his many co-workers would complete the 
work which they had so auspiciously begun. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 123 

ELIJAH DICKINSON. 

Elijah Dickinson, son of Richard and Ann 
(Quarles) Dickinson, was born Jan. 26, 1795, in 
Spottsylvania county, Virginia. He was of Scotch- 
English descent. 

In 1814, during the war of 1812, he joined a vol-, 
unteer cavalry company and served till the close 
of the war. 

He came to Christian county, Kentucky, about 
the year 1817. Here he was married October 6, 
1819, to Miss Mary Ann Burrus, and in June 1821, 
they united with the Baptist Church. A few years 
later the preaching of the primitive gospel was 
begun in that community by some of our pioneer 
Disciple preachers. He heard it frankly, and 
in 1831, with nineteen others, left the Baptist 
Church and united in organizing a Christian 
Church, of which he was made an elder. 

In the fall of 1885 he removed with his wife 
and six children — J. Quarles, Cynthia M., CeliaB., 
M. Elizabeth, Elmira J., and Elijah W. — to Walnut 
Grove, Illinois. Here two sons were added to his 
family, Charles R. and Roger B. A church of 
Disciples had been organized here several years 
before. In 1837 he was made one of the elders, 
and was kept in that office the remainder of his 
life. 

In his early life schools were few and inferior 



124 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

about his boyhood home, and his opportunities for 
that kind of education were very limited in- 
deed. But he was a thoughtful man, a diligent 
reader, a close observer, and a good judge of 
human nature, and so gathered much general in- 
formation. He was a staunch friend and promoter 
of thorough education and labored earnestly for 
the upbuilding of Walnut Grove Academy and 
Eureka College. 

Was elected one of the Board of Trustees of the 
Academy at its organization in 1850. After the 
death of President Ben Major, in 1852, he was 
elected President of the Board, and so continued 
till his death. 

During his early manhood he was a carpenter, 
but after his marriage he chose farming as his oc- 
cupation, and continued in it lirst in Kentucky, 
then in Illinois. He peacefully fell asleep, July 
28, 1862, at his old homestead one and a half miles 
southwest of the college, and his body reposes in 
Eureka Cemetery. 

ALBERT G. EWING. 

A. G. Ewing was born in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 
28th, 1804. His parents were natives of Scotland. 
It was a tradition in his father's family that their 
ancestors were of the same family as that most 
famous of Scottish heroes, Sir William Wallace. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 125 

His parents were among the earliest settlers of 
Nashville. His father gave his six sons the best 
opportunities in the V7ay of education that that day 
afforded, and they all became prominent men in a 
worldly way except Albert, the subject of this 
sketch ; his life was even more energetic and earn- 
est than theirs, but his chief ambition was to serve 
his God and save his fellowmen. He graduated 
in Cumberland College when only sixteen years 
old. Was a good Greek scholar, and throughout 
his life his Greek Bible was nearly as often in his 
hand as his well-worn English Bible. Gen. Jack- 
son's name is appended to his diploma as one of 
the college trustees. The noted General was 
known and admired by the youthful student. Soon 
after Albert graduated, he was honored by a part- 
nership with the then celebrated Dr. Rush in a 
drug-store ; he gained a good knowledge of medi- 
cine at this time Alexander Campbell preached 
in Nashville when Albert was nineteen, and his 
parents and himself were among the first converts 
Campbell made there. The reformer and his 
young convert loved each other. Albert gave up 
fine prospects of earthly honor and riches and fol- 
lowed the then persecuted Campbell to Bethany, 
became a student under him, traveled with him on 
some of his extensive preaching tours, and finally 
married Campbell's eldest daughter. She died 



126 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

young, like all of Campbell's first family of gifted 
and beautiful daughters. 

In 1837 Mr. Ewing married Miss Mary J. Mar- 
silliot of Wheeling, Va., and removed to a farm 
on the Ohio River near the village of Clarington. 
She outlived him fifteen years. Farming and the 
building and managing of a large steam flouring 
and saw-mill enabled him to give employment to 
a number of men. He chose this river locality for 
his home, because religious and educational work 
was sadly needed there. During the twenty years 
of his life there all that he had and was, was freely 
given to educate and Christianize the people. He 
met with opposition and persecution for a time, but 
also had good success, and came to be much be- 
loved. He preached, made converts and organized 
churches in a number of places, built the church 
house for his home church with very little aid, and 
was its pastor for sixteen years. He made the 
same mistake others of our pioneer preachers 
made, he required too little of others and caused 
them to depend too much on him. Finally his 
health failed and he was crippled financially. 
He brought his family to Eureka, 111., in 1858. 
Although broken in health and mental power by 
a long illness occurring shortly before his coming 
West, his life in his new home was not useless ; 
he soon became a working elder in the church. 
His active eldership in Ohio and Illinois covered 



.^^' 




JOHN DARST. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 127 

a period of forty years. He was a trustee of 
Bethany College for a number of years before he 
came to Illinois. He was President of the Board 
of Trustees of Eureka College for eleven years 
before his death, and was deeply interested in its 
welfare. 

President Everest once said of him, that of 
all men he had come in contact with, he had the 
least admixture of selfishness. The good of The 
Cause was always first with him. Another who 
knew him well said, when notified of his death, 
" If ever the words which Christ applied to 
Nathanael applied to any other man they did to 
A. G. Ewing. He was an Israelite indeed in whom 
there was no guile." He fell asleep on August 
28th, 1873, at his home in Eureka, Illinois. 

JOHN DARST. 

John Darst was born November 6, 1816, in Greene 
county, Ohio. Both of his grandfathers came 
from Germany. His boyhood and youth were 
characteristic of that early pioneer life. He learn- 
ed to read and write, went as far into practical 
arithmetic as his teacher's limited knowledge 
would take him, and barely tasted grammar. 

Ruhamah Moler became his wife, November 22, 
1838. She shared the hardships of those early 
times, assisted heartily in carrying out the plans 



128 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

to better the condition of their family, and has co- 
operated fully in all his efforts for the church and 
college. The support of a devoted wife, man's 
greatest earthly stay, he has never lacked. She is 
now the quiet, home-keeping, home-loving com- 
panion of his old age. Their golden wedding, No- 
vember 22, 1888, brought to their home forty- three 
children and grand-children. Three others could 
not be present. In the company were nine sons 
(one, John W., having died at 18) and their only 
daughter. Their children honor them while living 
and will revere their memory after they shall have 
passed on to the other shore. 

For thirteen years Mr. Darst continued his farm 
life in Ohio. He attempted to raise the standard 
of education at his birthplace in the interest of his 
children. For them he wished to secure a better 
education than he had received. The old ideas 
were too lirmly established, however, to be uproot- 
ed. About this time he learned that the newer 
west offered special inducements to the farmer. 
Influenced by the hope of obtaining better educa- 
tional and material advantages, he removed his 
family to Eureka, Illinois, September, 1851. For 
more than thirty years he continued to farm exten- 
sively and successfully at this place. He was also 
interested in milling for some years. In 1882 he 
became president of the Farmers' Bank, which had 



BIOGBAPHWAL. 129 

just been organized. In business his career has 
been long, prosperous and honorable. 

He has always taken an active part in the ad- 
vancement of the community in which he resided. 
In 1856 he laid out the town of Eureka. His fellow 
citizens have shown their appreciation of his pub- 
lic spirit by calling him frequently to serve their 
interests in local offices. While a young man he 
recognized the evils of the drink habit. Ever since 
he has been its foe, and is now a party prohibition- 
ist. During our National struggle he was an abo- 
litionist and had five sons in the Union army. His 
political action is governed by the sole considera- 
ation of right. He allies himself with those who 
stand for moral issues and breaks all party ties 
which interfere with this most worthy exercise of 
Christian citizenship. 

In early life Mr. Darst became a Baptist, but 
soon united with the Disciples of Christ, among 
whom he has held official positions to his credit 
and to their advantage for nearly half a century. 
He first served the church as deacon, but for many 
years he has been an elder, and fiiithful to the 
spiritual welfare of the congregation.. 

On arriving at Walnut Grove, now Eureka, he 
found that kindred spirits had already established 
an academy. He identified himself at once with 
the enterprise. Eureka College was chartered in 
1855, and at the first business meeting he was 



130 HISTOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

elected a trustee. He acted in that capacity until 
1873, when he was elected president of the Board 
of Trustees on the death of Mr. Ewing. This office 
he has since tilled continuously. He has had a 
leading part in the erection of the college build- 
ings, which the prosperity of the college made 
needful. To superintend their construction he has 
taken the time from his private business. For 
many years he always looked after the gratuitous 
work necessary in caring for the college property. 
His interest, his energy and good business judg- 
ment have naturally given him a prominent place 
in the management of college affairs. It is a pleas- 
ure to add that other members of the Board of 
Trustees show a willingness to relieve him of lab- 
ors which are too onerous for the growing infirmi- 
ties of age. 

Mr. Darst has made it the rule of his life to put 
a large share of his earnings into the college funds. 
He prefers to see his money do good while he 
lives. All who know the facts must freely ac- 
knowledge that without his co-operation and 
financial support the college work would have been 
most seriously crippled. Brief mention of some of 
his characteristic acts may provoke others to more 
liberally support a worthy cause. It is also prop- 
er, too, that the facts be recorded before they are 
forgotten, that he may receive honor while he lives. 
Lovers of Christian education can also better ap- 



BIOGBAPHICAL. 131 

predate how much their cause is indebted to this 
faithful friend. When the college was young, it 
was difficult to secure money for buildings, without 
which the work could not go on. Plans were made 
for the recitation building and pledges obtained to 
meet the expense. Financial distress became so 
great that many subscribers could not pay their 
pledges. Mr. Darst and William Davenport gave 
their note for the college debt, and mortgaged their 
property to secure its payment. Depression in 
money matters continued and the note fell due. A 
new note had to be given. For good reasons Mr. 
Davenport asked to be released from taking up 
the burden anew. Mr. Darst then bought more 
land that he might properly secure a new note, and 
mortgaged all he had, even the home of his fami- 
ly, to assume alone the payment of the entire col- 
lege debt. As an illustration of his faith in God 
and his love of the cause, his conduct on this oc- 
casion will serve. He went to the harvest held and 
told his sons what he had done, and added : "If 
we can save this crop and have another good one 
next year, we will be able, I think, to save our 
home." One dollar was harder to get then than 
five are now. His first donation to educational in- 
terests in Eureka was $250, in 1852. His largest 
at any one time has been $6,000. His larger con- 
tributions aggregate not less than $25,000. Be- 
sides these he always responds to minor calls. 



132 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

Recently lie has given liberally to the select li- 
brary for the Biblical department, and has prom- 
ised twice the amount to the general library of the 
college. In a recent letter he speaks of his work 
in the following words : "I wish now I had kept an 
account of what I have done, but not caring wheth- 
er other men knew or not, I knew the Lord knew 
how much and the motive with which it was given. 
This I could not have done without the co-operation 
of my wife and children. And if I could, I would 
not take one dollar of it back." No additional 
words could emphasize the faithful consecration of 
this man and his family to the interests of Eureka 
college. Disciples of Illinois, Mr. Darst's sons 
were kept from college privileges to pay off a col- 
lege debt, and thus provide for your children the 
advantages which Eureka College affords. Will 
not this persuade you of your abundance to give 
liberally to endow a work which is so full of prom- 
ise, if well equipped ? 

Finally, it remains to speak of Mr. Darst's in- 
terest in young men preparing for the ministry. 
Their work and worth lie nearest his heart. Often 
he gave them board, furnished them horses to carry 
them to their appointments, loaned them money, 
attended regularly their devotional meetings until 
age prevented his going, and talked to them plain- 
ly about their life and work. He wished them to 
have a proper conception of the ministry of the 



BIOaRAPHICAL. 133 

Gospel. There are many who have reason to re- 
member his wise counsel, and some for personal 
reasons, too, recall with gratitude the Scripture, 
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend." Of his 
helpfulness the following- is a good example : B. 
B. Tyler, of New York, early in the sixties devoted 
part of his time to business, to obtain a support for 
his family. His Sunday services were full of 
promise. Seeing this Mr. Darst "persuaded him 
to relinquish his business engagements and devote 
his energies to the saving of souls, stipulating to 
supply all necessary funds to support him in the 
work." Of this offer Mr. Tyler says : "I want the 
world to know that John Darst did this for me and 
for the Church of Christ. If I have been worth 
anything to the world, let this grand, good man, 
still living, have the honor that belongs to him." 

Such, in mere outline, is the life of this plain, 
earnest, self-sacrificing, unassuming Christian 
man. The world is always better because of such 
lives. 



CHAPTER 11. 

TEACHEBS FBOM 1S4S TO 1860. 

A. S. Fisher — Sue Jones Grant — John Lindsey — Sarah Fisher 
Conover — Caroline Neville Pearre — Elmira J. Dickinson— O. 
A. Burgess— R. A. Conover — C. L. Loos— George Callender — 
J. M. Allen — B. W. Johnson — Richard H. Johnson — J. H. 
Rowell— Mary Clark Hawk. 

A. S. FISHER. 

Asa S. Fisher was born in Clinton county, Oliio, 
December 10, 1824. In 1829 his parents moved to 
Illinois, locating in Tazewell county. There he 
lived with his parents until the winter of 1842, 
assisting his father on the farm and attending the 
crude schools of the locality during the winters. 
In September, 1843, he entered Tremont Academy, 
where he remained till the following March. In 
1844 he entered the Preparatory Department of 
Knox College, Illinois. In August, 1845, he re- 
moved to Marshall county, and was there engaged 
as a school teacher until July, 1847. In the fall 
of 1847 he entered Bethany College, returning to 
Illinois in July, 1848. 

(134) 




A. S. FISHER. 



BIOGBAPHICAL. 135 

In September, 1848, he commenced the school in 
Walnut Grove that developed into Eureka College. 
He was a constant and zealous promoter of the in- 
stitution for thirty-eight years of his eventful life. 

In 1866 he reluctantly withdrew from the col- 
lege, conscious of having aided, to the extent of 
his ability, in the establishment of an efficient 
literary auxiliary to the Christian Church, leav- 
ing its future to the management of younger 
men. 

During his connection with the institution 
thousands of young men had been received under 
its fostering care, and had there received a liter- 
ary training and development, making them valu- 
able citizens in their respective localities. They 
had gone forth and were to be found in the valleys, 
on the plateaus, the hill-tops and mountain-sides 
of our vast western domain. They had penetrated 
the western mountains, had looked out upon the 
great ocean and visited the islands of the sea. 
They were cultivators of the soil, watchmen on 
the towers of Zion, active agents in legislative 
halls and fearless defenders of their country's 
honor; college professors and presidents, popular 
political orators, eminent at the bar, drawing 
lecturers and profound jurists. 

Educators, like poets, are born, not made. Mr. 
Fisher was a born educator, and early in life set 
about fitting himself for that, his chosen life-work, 



136 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

as best he could with the advantages within his 
reach. It was in the pioneer days when times are 
always hard and money always scarce and schools 
nearly always poor. 

But as the countr}^ developed advantages im- 
proved. The young man went to college, stead- 
fast in pursuit of his purpose, not knowing, but 
often wondering, where his field of labor during 
life was to be. 

Meanwhile, among the enterprising citizens of 
Walnut Grove, the spirit of education was becom- 
ing more and more rife, and they were wondering 
how, in their poverty , they could ever educate their 
children. Under the leadership of Elder Ben 
Major they discussed over and over again the 
building up of a seminary or academy for the 
higher education of their sons and daughters, 
than the irregular, inefficient subscription schools 
of the time aff'orded ; but where the man and 
whence the money for this work, were the ever-re- 
curring and ever unanswered questions that con- 
fronted them. 

But during the session that Mr. Fisher attended 
Bethany College, a nephew of Mr. Major's was 
also there, Mr. J. M. Major of Bloomington, 111. To 
him Elder Major wrote asking if there was not 
among the students there some one who was fitted 
for, and willing to undertake such a work as was 
wanted here ; and the gladsome answer came back 



BIOCiBAPHICAL. 137 

highly commending '' a Mr. A. S. Fisher from near 
Tremont " for tlie position. The result was, in 
August lie came on for a conference with some of 
the leading men in the community, and early in 
September, 1848, the school opened in the little 
frame schoolhouse, and lo, Eureka College loas 
begun; though not one of those devoted souls 
dreamed how well they were building, nor where- 
unto their work would grow. 

The coming of the " new teacher," fresh from 
college, was a notable event in our quiet, country 
neighborhood. We were not used to college men 
then, had scarcely ever seen one. This young 
man was tall, fair, beardless, bashful, and looked 
much younger than he really was. But the fire of 
a noble purpose burned bright in his soul and 
gleamed forth from his eye. Character was 
stamped on his mien. He had a work to do and 
he meant to do it, was the language of his actions. 
And so he went into his little school of children 
and half-grown boys and girls, resolute to do his 
part in making of it a school of higher grade. 

He boarded in the home of Elder Major. A 
warm friendship grew up between them, as, con- 
genial in spirit, they counseled and planned and 
worked for the realization of their common hopes. 
The school enterprise proved eminently successful, 
and before the session of ten months closed it was 
so well reported of in the surrounding counties 



138 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

that a goodly number of young men and young 
women were arranging to enter it at the beginning 
of the second session, in September, 1849. All 
this led to its organization, during vacation, as 
Walnut Grove Semmary. 

During that summer, Mr. Fisher took an im- 
portant social step. The bachelor became a 
benedict. Several years before, while teaching in 
Marshall county, lie had met Miss Susan S. Pal- 
mer, daughter of Elder Henry D. Palmer, a prom- 
inent preacher of the Gospel, and July 25th they 
were married, thereby a real help-mate being 
gained. With their limited means a house was 
built near the school, and they kept boarders at 
$1.25 a week, fuel and lights included. This was 
at a time when there was no store of any kind, 
nor butcher-shop nor post-office nearer than 
Washington, eight miles away. 

The school, as seminary, academy and college 
continued to grow, though with varied experiences, 
adverse and prosperous, and many changes of 
teachers were made ; but Prof. Fisher stood un- 
tlinchingly by it through times of sorest trial as 
firmly as through most prosperous seasons. It 
never had a truer, more devoted friend than he. 
He never had much money to give, but he gave 
freely in proportion to his means ; and gave with- 
out reserve the mental and physical strength of 
his early and mature manhood, toiling in and for 



BIOGIiAPHICAL. 139 

it through periods of financial stress ; through the 
straits of the civil war, when it almost had to sus- 
pend ; through perils within and perils without. 
In course of time he became overwhelmed in 
financial reverses and these seriously involved his 
relations with officials in the college management, 
and led to his separation from the college, and his 
going to Kansas City, where he now resides. 

MRS. SUE E. GKANT. 

Susan E. Jones was born near Jacksonville, 111., 
April 4, 1832. Slie was the oldest daughter of 
Elder John T. Jones and Emily Woodward, his 
wife. She was educated at Jacksonville Female 
Academy, the oldest ladies' school in the State, 
and began teaching in 1847. 

Prof. Fisher says in a recent letter to Mrs. 
Grant, " You conducted the first school in the 
series that developed into Eureka College, and 
well do I remember who assisted me during my 
second year in Walnut Grove." 

Four years later she accepted a position in 
Christian College, Columbia, Mo., then in the 
efficient hands of Pres. John Augustus Williams 
of Kentucky. 

In 1852 she was married to Prof. Robert A. 
Grant, of Boone county. Mo., and removed to Can- 



140 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

ton, Mo,, where she was present at the laying of 
the corner-stone of Christian University in 1853. 

For several years she was principal of the De 
Soto Young Ladies' Institute at this place, and her 
husband continued teaching in Christian Univer- 
sity until 1875, wiien they removed to Woodland, 
Cal. 

On account of financial reverses, Mrs. Grant re- 
entered the school-room after reaching California, 
and taught for some nine years. During this time 
she served for some time as the President of the 
California Home Missionary Society, and after- 
ward as President of the Christian Woman's 
Board of Missions of California, when the Home 
Mission became merged in the National organiza- 
tion. 

In every emergency of life, Mrs. Grant has 
proved a woman of unusual force of character, re- 
markable intelligence, and exceptional energy, 
cheerfulness and courage. 

" The heart of her husband doth safely trust in 
her," and her children may well " rise up and call 
her blessed." The latter are all educated Chris- 
tian young men and women, acting well their part 
in life's arena. 

Thus loved and honored by the community in 
which she lives, her family, church and friends, 
may she spend a serene old age, until she is 
called up higher to enjoy the broader opportuni- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 141 

ties, the higher ideals, the nobler affections, the 
grander motives of the future, Just Beyond. 

ELDER JOHN LINDSEY. 

Elder John Lindsey was born in Christian coun- 
ty, Kentucky, June 15, 1821. Was of Scotch de- 
scent. His father. Elder James A. Lindsey, was 
for many years a Baptist preacher, but in the yekr 
1827 he with his church took his stand with the 
Reformation with no name but that given in the 
New Testament and no creed but Christ. He mov- 
ed with his family to Tazewell county, Illinois, in 
1834. 

He obeyed the Gospel at fifteen years of age, 
and began preaching at eighteen, receiving many 
into the church. He was a strong temperance 
man, and came near being excluded from the 
church in 1841 for delivering a temperance lecture, 
signing the pledge, and inducing others to do so. 
About 1843 he visited Kentucky with Dr. G. P. 
Young, and while there was chosen by the Dis- 
ciples of that State to receive the education given 
by Bethany College to tlie State. He entered 
college in the fall of 1844 and graduated in 1848. 
Spent his vacations preaching in Virginia, Penn- 
sylvania and Ohio, averaging over one hundred 
additions each year. Returning to Illinois in the 
fall of '48, he was made district evangelist with 
Elder John T. Jones. 



142 HIS TOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

Was married to Maria K. Mason, sister of Prof. 
Mason, of Bethany College, in 1850 ; located in 
Walnut Grove, and with John T. Jones and Wm. 
Davenport began soliciting means to build Walnut 
Grove Academy, which was soon erected, and be- 
gan teaching there September of the same year, 
with Prof. A. S. Fisher. In 1852, his wife's health 
failing, he resigned as teacher to travel with her, 
and at the same time to raise means to build what 
is now known as " Gentlemen's Hall, No. 2." He 
afterwards located at Washington, 111., with the 
little church of 30 members, which grew to 145 
during his stay there. Early in 1855 he and Elder 
Wm. Davenport spent two weeks in Springfield 
at their own expense to obtain the charter for 
Eureka College, the loss of time from his church 
in Washington being deducted from his salary 
of $600. He was one of the committee of three 
to name the town. He reported "Eureka," and 
Elder J. T. Jones " Althea." 

When Alexander Campbell canvassed the State 
for endowment for Bethany College Mr. Lindsey 
traveled with him. Mr. Campbell being indis- 
posed much of the time, Mr. Lindsey filled his 
appointments. 

He held a successful debate at Metamora with 
Mr. Davis (Universalist), and one at Lincoln with 
Mr. Luckock (Methodist). 

Later he moved to Peoria, and while there he 



BIOQBAPHICAL. . 143 

married Miss Frank Redding of that city. Also 
organized the church there with seventeen mem- 
bers, and ministered to it; taught school for a 
support; secured a lot and built a small house 
of worship, and increased the membership to 
sixty-tive. Left it in care of I. N. Carman at 
a salary of $600, he and O. A. Burgess each 
paying $150 of that. 

He was then elected a professor of Abingdon 
College, but on conferring with the Board of 
Trustees his work was changed to that of financial 
agent, and in one year he raised six thousand of 
the nine thousand dollars indebtedness, and nine 
thousand dollars endowment. 

On Oct. 12, 1858, he was married to Miss Martha 
M. Davidson, of Walnut Grove, and then loc:ited 
in Atlanta. Soon the State Board sent him to 
liquidate the debt on the house of worship in 
Quincy, which he did in one month's time. He 
was elected President of the college at Mon- 
mouth, Ore., in 1858, but declined, and accepted 
a call to the church at Palmyra, Mo. While 
there was elected President of the college at Kirks- 
ville. Mo., but declined, preferring to preach. 
Somewhat later he returned to Eureka, and at 
the close of the war took charge of the church at 
Duquoin, and while there was elected about the 
same time President of Carbondale College, 111., 
and President of Princeton College, Ky. He ac- 



144 HISTORY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

cepted the latter, and recommending- Clark Brad en 
for the former, began the arduous labor of build- 
ing up a school in his native State just after the 
ravages of the Civil War, and used this oppor- 
tunity given to show his high appreciation of the 
favor Kentucky had conferred on him. The school 
opened with seventeen and closed with ninety- 
seven. He taught through the week and traveled 
on horseback from Friday till Monday, preaching 
and soliciting money and students. By the end 
of the second year his health was so impaired 
that he resigned, leaving the school in good con- 
dition. He then took charge of the church at St. 
Joseph, Mo., where his labors were crowned with 
great success in additions to the church and in 
work at mission points. But the work was too 
arduous, and before the end of the third year his 
disease, which proved to be a growth around the 
heart, became so serions that, on the advice of his 
physicians to abandon his pastoral work, he again 
returned to Eureka in the winter of 1873. But his 
rest was short. He could not resist the many 
calls to hold meetings, and was very successful. 
Had more than 150 additions in one at Mackinaw. 
He traveled one year as State Evangelist. The 
remainder of his life was spent preaching for 
different churches. His last sermon was at Twin 
Grove, McLean Co., July 3, 1887, on The Resurrec- 
tion. He was then barely able to stand. His 




1 Susan Jones Grant. 
'I Ehiiira J. Dickinson. 



5 Caroline Neville Pearre 



3 Sarah Fisher Conover. 

4 Mary Clark Hawk. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 145 

disease had gradually progressed, and on the 
morning of Oct. 15, 1887, the weary spirit passed 
to its heavenly rest. "Blessed are the dead that 
die in the Lord." 

SARAH FISHER CONOVER. 

Sarah Fisher was born nearTreniont,in Tazewell 
county, Illinois, December 17, 1833. Entered Wal- 
nut Grove Academy in its third year, September, 
1850, and attended its sessions three years. Taught 
one year in the preparatory department. Was 
married October 3, 1854, to Dr. R. A. Conover. 

Is still living- at her home in Peculiar, Cass 
county, Missouri, where she settled on removing 
to that State in 1868, loved by all who know her. 

CAROLINE NEVILLE PEARRE. 

"Miss Callie," as she was called in auld lang- 

syne, began the voyage of life near Clarksville, 

Tenn., April 15, 1831, and in infancy was brought 

by her parents to Mackinaw, 111. After Walnut 

Grove Academy was started she spent several 

terms in it as student, also as teacher. Then after 

teaching about sixteen years, chiefly in Columbia, 

Mo., and Harrodsburg, Ky., she was married in 

1869 to Dr. S. E, Pearre, and became a most ef- 

licient associate in his ministerial work. 

Hers was a strongly missionary spirit, and in 
10 



146 HISTORY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

1874, while living in Iowa City, la., she developed 
the idea of enlisting the sisterhood of the Church 
of Christ in systematic effort for the spread of the 
Gospel. With the encouragement and assistance 
that she received from the editors of the Christian 
Standard and the Chr istian- E oangelist., and a few 
others, she planned a convention to be held in 
Cincinnati, Ohio, in October of that year. 

About seventy-five women responded to her call, 
and under her leadership orgfinized the Christian 
Woman's Board of Missions, which has proved a 
mighty power for good in many ways. 

She always loved young people. Long she was 
accustomed to lead them, especially in their literary 
and social training. She loves them yet, but though 
no longer associated with them in the school- 
room, from her quiet home in Irvington, Ind., she 
still holds sweet and helpful communion with them 
through the Young People^ s Standard. 

Hers is the graceful pen of a ready writer. Long 
may she wield it. 

ELMIRA J. DICKINSON". 

Elmira Jane Dickinson, daughter of Elijah and 
Mary A. Dickinson, began life in Christian county, 
Ky., January 9, 1831. Is of Welsh-English de- 
scent. Came with her parents to Walnut Grove in 
1835. Was baptized July 6, 1845. Was educated 



BIOGBAPHICAL. 147 

in Walnut Grove Academy, taking the full aca- 
demic course, but before diplomas were conferred. 
Taught, at different times, several years in the 
academy, also several years in the college, retir- 
ing finally from the work in June, 1870. In 1869 
the Board of Trustees conferred on her the degree 
M. A. 

She aided in the organization of the Christian 
Woman's Board of Missions at Cincinnati in Oc- 
tober, 1874. Was, at the beginning of this work, 
made State President of the Board in Illinois. 
Three times she resigned this office and others 
were elected, but she was as often recalled to it as 
those others resigned it to enter other fields of 
labor, and she still has charge of that work. 

She was one of the deputation sent by the C. 
W. B. M, in January, 1887, to visit its mission on 
the Island of Jamaica. The trip occupied about 
three months. 

In June, 1887, she was elected one of the trus- 
tees of Eureka College, the first woman called to 
that position, which she continues to fill. 

She has long been an earnest worker in the tem- 
perance cause, and was three j^ears W, C. T. U. 
President in the Ninth Congressional district, in 
which she resides, and gave that up only because 
she could not carry on that arduous work in addi- 
tion to her missionary duties, to which she felt 
specially called. 



148 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

A friend and promoter of education always and 
everywhere, she has been especially interested in 
and thoroughly loyal to Eureka College, and has 
long wished that a record of its origin, work and 
experiences might be arranged in permanent form. 
Therefore she rejoices that this is now being done 
by the Alumni Association, and is glad to aid in 
the work. 

God has blessed her with a busy, happy life. 
The evening of it she is spending in her quiet home 
in Eureka, doing whatsoever her hand finds to do. 

O. A. BURGESS. 

Otis Asa Burgess was born in Thompson, Wind- 
ham county, Connecticut, August 26, 1829. His 
ancestors, both paternal and maternal, were of the 
Pilgrim stock. 

When about eight years of age his parents mov- 
ed to Norwich, Chenango county. New York. He 
attended "Munich Academy," near his home, com- 
pleted the course (except the classics) in the spring 
of 1847, and in the fall of the same year "went 
west" to Woodford county, Illinois, and taught 
school till 1851, in that and in Marshall county. 

It was during this time that he first heard of 
the Disciples, and at Washburn that he first heard 
a full, clear statement of their doctrines. This was 
a forcible presentation of the gospel and its con- 
ditions, by Elder Henry D. Palmer, based on Acts 




O. A. BUKGESS 



BIOGBAPHIGAL. 149 

2: 38. His own words concerning it were, "It was 
new, wonderful. It opened a new world." He 
was immersed July 1, 1850; went to Bethany Col- 
lege in the fall of 1851 ; graduated July 4, 1854, 
and was married October 17 of the same year to 
Miss N. J. Ledgerwood, of Washburn, a grand- 
daughter of Elder Palmer. 

During the winter of 1854-5 he was solicitor 
for Walnut Grove Academy, and was instrumen- 
tal in obtaining the charter for Eureka College 
that same winter. 

In the spring of 1855 he took charge of the 
church in Washington, Illinois, but resigned in 
the fall and became a professor in Eureka Col- 
lege, continuing one year. From May, 1861, to 
May, 1862, he was in his country's service, but 
his health failing, he returned home. 

Late in the fall of 1862 he took charge of the 
Central Christian Church in Indianapolis. After 
a pastorate of nearly eight years, he accepted the 
presidency of Northwestern Christian (now But- 
ler) University, in which capacity he served two 
years, resigning to take charge of the church 
on the corner of Indiana avenue and 25th street, 
Chicago. After a pastorate of three years he re- 
turned to the presidency of the university, where 
he remained eight years. 

In the spring of 1881 he decided to go back 
to the same little church in Chicago. This was 



150 HI8T0BY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

his last work. He passed away March 14, 1882, 
and was laid to rest in the quiet little cemetery 
at Forest, Illinois. 

He was a man of great force of character, full 
of energy and persistence, of great physical pow- 
er and mental vigor, and toas always at work. 

He was strong in controversy, and held a num- 
ber of important and successful discussions in de- 
fence of Christ and his teachings. Was firm 
even to sternness in refuting his opponent, and 
seemed cold as an iceberg, but it was only seem- 
ing. His heart was as warm and tender as a 
little child's, and large enough to take in all the 
world. And so it came to pass that both his 
friends and his enemies were strongly so. While 
he was eminently successful in debate, he was 
just as successful as an evangelist in winning 
souls to Christ by his own strong personal con- 
victions, his tenderly persuasive power, and his 
knowledge and use of the Word of God. 

Moreover, he was successful in the management 
of his finances. Was deeply interested in poli- 
tics, benevolence, education, Christianity at home 
and abroad, and freely used his means for what- 
ever would uplift and ennoble humanity. 

O. A. Burgess was a good man. In his death 
the church lost a pillar, and the whole world a 
friend. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 151 

R. A. CONOVER, M. D. 

Richard Ash ton Conover was born in Morgan 
county, Illinois, December 28, 1831. Received his 
literary education at Eureka, Illinois. In 1856 
began the study of medicine under Dr. R. B. M. 
Wilson, of Washington, Illinois. Graduated from 
St. Louis Medical College in 1858. Was married 
to Miss Sarah Fisher of Tazewell county, Illinois, 
October 3, 1854. Taught one year in the prepar- 
atory department of Walnut Grove Academy. 
Practiced medicine in Eureka, Illinois, from 1858 
till the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. 
He entered the service in August, 1862, as Assist- 
ant Surgeon in the 108th Regiment, Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry. In 1863 was promoted to Surgeon 
and served in that capacity until the close of the 
war. Removed with his family to Peculiar, Cass 
county, Missouri, in 1868, where he practiced his 
profession sixteen years, when, his health failing, 
he lingered two years, then passed away with 
heart disease, February 15, 1886. At the time of 
his death was president of the Medical Associa- 
tion of Kansas City District. 

PRESIDENT LOOS. 

Charles Louis Loos was born December 22, 1823, 
at Woerth-sur-Sauer, Department of the Lower 
Rhine, France. His father was Jacques G. Loos, a 



152 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

native of France ; liis mother a native of Bavaria, 
consequently, German. 

After his fourth year he attended the academy of 
his native place until his departure for the United 
States, in 1834, He was reared in the family of a 
pious grandmother, and by her was carefully train- 
ed in the Lutheran faith. In 1837 he was confirmed 
in the Lutheran Church. Soon afterward he be- 
came acquainted with the teaching of the Disciples, 
and in 1838 united with them under the preaching 
of J. Wesley Lampheare, being immersed by John 
Whitacre. This caused great bitterness and oppo- 
sition among his Lutheran relatives, but he had 
taken the step under an earnest conviction of duty, 
and did not stop to confer with flesh and blood. 

He began to teach school at sixteen years of age, 
and at seventeen began to preach the gospel. In 
September, 1842, he entered Bethany College, 
where he graduated in 1846, and then remained 
three years as teacher in the primary department. 
July 6, 1848, was married at Bethany to Rosetta E. 
Kerr, daughter of Rev, John Kerr, a Presbyterian 
minister, of Newry, Ireland. She was his devoted 
companion and helpmeet for forty-flve years, and 
very recently has fallen asleep. 

In 1849 he was ordained to the work of the min- 
istry. Served the church at Wellsburg, Virginia, 
one year, then the church at Somerset, Pennsylva- 
nia, five years. During two years of this time he 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 153 

edited a monthly paper called The Disciple, and 
two years was principal of an academy. In Janu- 
ary, 1856, be took charge of the church on Eighth 
and Walnut streets, Cincinnati, Ohio, and became 
assistant editor of the Chrlstkui Age. In January, 
1857, having been elected President of Eureka 
College, in Illinois, he removed to that place and 
work, remaining until September, 1858, when he 
was recalled to Bethany College, to the chair of 
Ancient Languages and Literature in that institu- 
tion. 

In May, 1880, he resigned his professorship in 
Bethany College, and soon after accepted the Pres 
Idency of Kentucky University and the chair of 
Greek, which j^osition he still occupies. 

He was a regular contributor to the OJtrlstlan 
Standard from its beginning in 1866, until the death 
of its editor and founder, Isaac Errett. He was a 
contributor to Moore''s Christian Quarterly and 
has been a writer also for the Ohrlstian Quarterly 
Review. Of late years he has been writing for the 
Christian- Evangelist. 

He has now been preaching fifty-two years, and 
engaged in higher educational work more than forty 
years. His best loved work has been the ancient 
languages as connected with the Holy Scriptures in 
preparing young men for preaching the Gospel. 

Since the death of Isaac Errett he has been the 
President of the Foreign Christian Missionary So- 
ciety. 



154 HIS TOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

GEORGE CALLENDER. 

George Callender was born in Edinburgh, Scot- 
land, July 14, 1807. There he attended school, 
beginning the study of Latin when only eight years 
of age, and becoming in it so proficient that Greek 
was learned with a Greek-Latin lexicon. He was 
also fitting himself for the ministry of the Presby- 
terian Church, in which faith he had been brought 
up, until about his fifteenth year, when, threatened 
with serious lung trouble, was obliged to give up his 
studies and enter his father's tannery, where he 
served his apprenticeship to the trade. His health 
while there was in a great measure restored, but 
though obliged to give up serving God from the pul- 
pit, he was not idle. He joined heartily in church 
and Sunday-school work, in work of the Society for 
the Destitute, visiting the sick and needy, render- 
ing necessary substantial aid, and ever ready with 
words of comfort and encouragement, which few 
knew better how to give. 

On leaving the tannery he engaged in the com- 
mission business in Glasgow, removing later to 
Liverpool, England, where he married Miss Isabella 
Dunlop, and where they lived nine years. For the 
sake of the children, especially the boys — two sons 
and a daughter having been born to them — he de- 
termined to leave the vice and confinement of the 
city for the pure, free air of an American farm. In 



BIOGBAPHICAL. 155 

May, 1852, he came to the United States, seeking 
a suitable location for their new home. He was 
greatly attracted to this locality by its natural 
beauty and fertility, and, after purchasing proper- 
ty, returned to England to settle up his business. 
The following year he removed his family to the 
property purchased the previous year, near what is 
now Eureka, Illinois, and soon identified himself 
with the best interests of the community. One 
daughter was born to them there ; and, alas for 
the father's hopes and sacrifices, in 1856 one son 
died, and in 1858 the other. 

In 1855, through the preaching of Rev. William 
Brown, Mr. Callender and his wife were buried 
with Christ in baptism, having learned of the Dis- 
ciples while in Liverpool by reading the discussion 
between Alex Campbell and Robert Owen on the 
Evidences of Christianity. Soon after becoming 
acquainted with the young people of the neighbor- 
hood he gathered them together at his home on 
Sunday afternoon for Bible study. The little Sun- 
day-school soon outgrew his rooms, and was re- 
moved to the academy, which, too, was soon not 
large enough to accommodate those who came, and 
it was moved again, to the church, where he was 
still its faithful superintendent and teacher of the 
Bible class. Such was the beginning of our Sun- 
day-school in Eureka, not that this was the first 
time or the second that one had been organized in 



156 HISTORY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

the community, but it was given to this good man 
to successfully begin and carry it through its early 
discouragements, till it became second only to the 
church service. 

He who knew the advantages of an education 
could not but feel a deep interest in the struggles 
of our school to gain and maintain a place among 
our people. Mr. Callender was President of the 
college for two or three years, during which time he 
awarded the first diploma given by the institution, 
and under him also graduated the largest class of 
its first twenty-six years. Being a thorough stu- 
dent of the Bible and having a mind well stored 
with useful information, the lectures he frequently 
delivered before the students were exceedingly in- 
teresting and instructive. He was very fond of the 
society of young people, over whom he had a re- 
markable influence for good; he made himself their 
friend, joined in their amusements, sympathized 
in their sorrows, and gave substantial aid to 
ambitious, deserving students, struggling to ob- 
tain an education. He gave freely of time and 
means to farther the interests of the college. 
He was one of the Charter Trustees and its ef- 
ficient secretary of the Board for a number of 
years, and only retired from the trusteeship 
when age and failing health warned him to lay 
aside some of the burdens of earlier years. In 
his dealings with others and in his daily life he 



BIOGBAPIJICAL. 157 

was above reproach. It was a comfort when 
age was creeping on, to feel that all his life through 
he had striven to be just and honest toward all 
men. Having made his peace with God he did 
not doubt, and often, when he felt the powers of 
mind and body failing, would repeat, "He that hear- 
eth my word, and helleveth on him that sent me 
hath everlasting life, and shall not come into con- 
demnation, but is passed from death unto life" 
(John 5: 24), receiving untold comfort from Christ's 
words. As the shadows of forgetfulness closed 
about him, he still remembered passages of God's 
word and could express himself in prayer when 
speech concerning the common affairs of life failed 
him. After a lingering illness, most patiently en- 
dured, his spirit took its flight July 17, 1891, and 
his body was laid to rest in the cemetery at Eu- 
reka, 

Such is the brief history of a noble life, a life not 
unsuccessful as the world counts success, but emi- 
nently successful in its best sense, in its influence 
for good upon all with whom he came in contact. 

Georgina Johann. 

J. M. ALLEN. 

James M. Allen was born in Fleming county, 
Kentucky, July 1st, 1827. Father's name, Simeon 
B. Allen ; mother's maiden name, Mary Stamps 



158 HIS TOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

Shacklgford, both of Fayette county, Kentucky. 
Their parents moved from Virginia to Kentucky. 
He was educated at home, in country and village 
schools, until sixteen years of age. Then attend- 
ed Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky, 
under Methodist supervision, H, B. Bascom, presi- 
dent, and afterward Bacon College, Harrodsburg, 
Kentucky, James Shannon, president. Studied 
medicine with Dr. David Clinton Higbee, Lexing- 
ton, Kentucky. Attended course of lectures in 
Medical department of Transylvania University. 
Following year continued study of medicine with 
Dr. Shackleford of Maysville, Kentucky, and Dr. 
Flamming, of Elizaville, Kentucky. 

Year following this took course of lectures in 
Ohio Medical School, Cincinnati, and received di- 
ploma from this school. 

Practiced two years in Mayslick, Kentucky, and 
moved to Illinois in fall of the year 1853, 

Entered the ministry and was ordained at Eureka 
in 1856. Began teaching in Eureka College 1857. 
July 31, 1860, married Sarah E. Watkins, Eureka, 
Illinois. Connected with Eureka College as pro- 
fessor, president, financial agent, etc., from 1857 
to summer of 1891, when he moved to Sprague, 
Washington, where he preached for the church a 
year and then took charge of the church at Spo- 
kane, Washington. 




1 C. L. Loos. 

2 Geo. CaJlender. 



3 B. W. Johnson. 

4 H. W. Everest. 



BIOGBAPHICAL. 159 

B. W. JOHNSON. 

B. W. Johnson was born in 1833 in the log cabin 
of a pioneer settler, in Tazewell county, Illinois. 
On his father's side his ancestry was English, but 
was settled in South Carolina before the Revolu- 
tion. His mother was of Scotch descent. Until he 
was seventeen his education was that of a prairie 
farm in the summer and of a log school-house in 
the winter. At that age he entered Walnut Grove 
Academy, then conducted by A. S. Fisher and 
John Lindsey. For a portion of three years he at- 
tended its sessions, the last two reciting in Greek 
and Latin to John H. Neville. After teaching a 
district school for two terms, he went, in the fall 
of 1854, to Bethany College. He graduated there 
in 1856, and after teaching in Bloomington one 
year, accepted a place in Eureka College. 

In 1858 he married Miss Sarah Allen of Bloom- 
ington, Illinois, sister of Dr. J. M. Allen. They 
have three children, all daughters and all mar- 
ried. 

Five years later he accepted the position of Cor- 
responding Secretary of the General Missionary 
Society, and one year after that of Professor in 
Bethany College. In 1868 he accepted the Presi- 
dency of Oskaloosa College. For the last twenty 
years he has been engaged as editor of the Christ- 
iaii-Emingelist, and at intervals of editorial work 



160 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

has found time to write a dozen volumes, all com- 
mentaries on portions of the Bible, except a volume 
of travels in the Holy Land. 

KICHARD H. JOHNSON. 

Richard Henry Johnson was born at Washing- 
ton, Illinois, March 2, 1835. His parents, John and 
Martha (McCorkle) Johnson, were, the first of Eng- 
lish, the second of Scotch ancestry. 

When about eighteen years old he entered Eu- 
reka College, and was graduated from Bethany 
College, Virginia, in 1859. The next year he was 
made a professor in Eureka College. Was mar- 
ried to Miss Susie S. Smith, of Bridgewater, Ver- 
mont, in 1862. Three years later he removed to 
Williamsville, New York, to take the position of 
principal of the Classical Institute at that place. 
Thence he removed to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, 
to engage in the ministry, returning a few years 
later to Illinois, thence in 1878 to Oskaloosa, Iowa, 
where he assumed the pastoral work of the Chris- 
tian church. 

In 1881 he accepted a professorship in Oskaloosa 
College and was advanced to its presidency the 
next year. 

He gave up his official duties in the college in 
1888, and is subsequently actively engaged in the 
work of the ministry, being pleasantly located at 
New Sharon, Iowa. 




1 Jiilin Linilsey. 
3 li. A. Conover. 



2 K. H. Johnson. 
4 J. H. Rowell. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 161 



J. H. ROWELL. 



Jonathan Harvey Rowell was born at Haver- 
hill, New Hampshire, February 10, 1833. His fa- 
ther was a well-to-do farmer and his ancestors 
were among the earliest settlers of New England. 
The lirst sixteen years of his life were spent on his 
father's farm, working in summer and going to 
district school in winter. 

In 1849 his parents moved to McLean county, 
Illinois, where his father died the following year. 

From sixteen to twenty-two he taught school in 
winters and worked at whatever he could find to 
do in summers. At the age of twenty- two he unit- 
ed with the Church of Christ at Stout's Grove, and 
soon after entered Eureka College, where he gradu- 
ated in 1861. 

During the time he was going through college he 
taught one year at Washington, and also more 
than a year at Eureka in the preparatory school,- 
then under the control of the college authorities. 
In 1860 he was appointed Professor of Mathematics 
in the college. 

In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, 17tli 
Illinois Infantry, a company largely made up of 
college students. Was first lieutenant of the com- 
pany one year and captain two years, succeeding 
Elder O. A. Burgess, who was the first captain. 

He graduated from the Law department of Chi- 
ll 



162 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

cago University, valedictorian of his class, in 
1865, and the same year commenced the practice 
of law in Bloomington, Illinois, where he has since 
resided. 

He was married in 1866 to Maria S. Woods of 
Alton, Illinois, a native of Illinois bnt of New Eng- 
land parentage. They have live children. His 
oldest son is a graduate of Michigan University, 
and now a student in Germany, His oldest daugh- 
ter also graduated from Michigan University, and 
is now teaching in California. His second and 
third sons are in school in Bloomington. 

He was State's Attorney of the eighth judicial 
circuit of Illinois, from 1868 to 1872 ; Master in 
Chancery of McLean county two years ; member 
of the Board of Education of Bloomington six 
years ; Garfield elector in 1880, and a member of 
the 48th, 49th, 50th and 51st Congress. Was chair- 
man of the Committee on Elections in the 51st 
Congress ; was active in securing the passage of 
the Inter-State Commerce, the monetary and the 
tariff legislation now upon our statute books, and 
he also, with the best help he could get, prepared 
the Federal Election bill, which passed the House, 
and which has since been miscalled the " Lodge 
Bill " and the " Force Bill." 

Has taken an active part as a Republican in all 
political campaigns in this State since 1864, and is 
still good for several more campaigns. 



BIOGBAPHICAL. 163 



MARY CLARK HAWK. 



Mary Gertrude Clark was born near Eureka, 
February 12, 1841, daughter of Robert M, and Cyn- 
thia M. Clark. Her father was one of the original 
trustees of Eureka College. Among her first teach- 
ers was Professor A. S. Fisher, under whose ef- 
ficient instruction she continued until her gradua- 
tion in 1861. During her senior year she taught 
in the Preparatory department of the college, and 
continued teaching in Eureka's public schools un- 
til 1865, when she married Major R. M. A. Hawk, 
92nd Reg. Dl. Vols., to whose home in Mt. Carroll 
she removed and there has since lived. 

Major Hawk was County Clerkof Carroll county 
for twelve years, resigning to accept a seat in the 
Forty-sixth National Congress as a Republican 
representative from the Fifth district of Illinois. 
On the eve of a renomination for a third term in 
Congress he was suddenly stricken down at his 
post of duty, in the strength of a vigorous and 
noble manhood. Left thus alone, Mrs. Hawk brave- 
ly devoted herself to the rearing and education of 
her children — a daughter and two sons. Her son, 
Harry, class '85, was the first child of a member 
of the Alumni to graduate from Eureka College — 
the first grandchild of his mother's Alma Mater. 
The names of Prof. A. S. Fisher and Dr. J. M. Al- 



164 HISTOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

len, two of his mother's instructors, appear on his 
diploma. 

Mrs. Hawk has always been an ardent supporter 
of Eureka College and its interests, and feels a 
personal pride in the welfare of the institution. 



CHAPTER HI. 

TEACHERS FEOM 1860 TO 1880. 

H. W. Everest— H. 0. Newcomb— B. J. Radford— A. M. Weston 
—0. P. Hay— D. M. Blair— James Kirk— Carl Johann— E. W. 
Dickinson— A. J. Youngblood. 

H. W. EVEREST. 

Harvey W. Everest was born at North Hudson, 
Essex county, New York, May 10, 1831. Leaving 
the public schools of his native village, he contin- 
ued his education at Geauga Seminary and at 
Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (now Hiram 
College), Ohio; Bethany College, West Virginia, 
and at Oberlin College, Ohio, from which he grad- 
uated. 

He had served as tutor while attending the Ec- 
lectic Institute, and immediately after his gradua- 
tion became its principal, and held this position 
until he resigned it to accept the presidency of Eu- 
reka College in 1864. Leaving Eureka in 1872, he 
served the Christian Church at Springfield two 
years as its pastor. In 1874 he was chosen one of 
the professors in Kentucky University and remain- 
ed there two years. Then was pastor of the church 

(165) 



166 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

at Normal, Illinois, one year, when he was called, 
in 1877, to be a second time president of Eureka, 
College. 

This position he held till the sjDring of 1881, 
when he accepted the presidency of Butler Univer- 
sity at Irvington, Indiana, remaining there till 1886, 
when he went to Wichita, Kansas, to take in hand, 
as Chancellor, the work of organizing Garfield 
University. For three years this institution seem- 
ed eminently successful, but then, on account of 
financial difficulties, was forced to suspend. In 
June, 1890, President Everest became pastor of the 
church at Hutchinson, Kansas. 

For years he has contributed very largely to our 
current literature, both papers and magazines. In 
1884 he published " The Divine Demonstration — A 
Text-Book of Christian Evidence" which was at 
once adopted by our own Bible Schools, and also 
has recently been adopted by Center College, Dan- 
ville, Kentucky, one of the leading Presbyterian 
colleges in the United States. 

H. O. NEWCOMB. 

Henry Obediah Newcomb was born January 5, 
1838, at Wadsworth, Medina county, Ohio. His 
parents were of English descent and his paternal 
grandfather was one of the first Disciple preachers 
of the Western Reserve. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 167 

His early education was obtained at the Eclectic 
Institute, Hiram, Ohio. He afterwards entered the 
Junior class, Michigan University, from which 
university he graduated at twenty-three, having 
completed the required curriculum and also the 
usual course in French and German literature. 
Soon after he was called to a professorship in Eu- 
reka College, where he taught Greek, modern lan- 
guages and history during the last seven years of 
his life. After a thorough course of law reading 
he was admitted to the bar at Warren, Ohio, and 
later he organized and carried on the Law depart- 
ment at Eureka College. 

His health failing, he returned to Hiram, where 
he died, at his father's home, September 16, 1870j 
at the age of thirty-two. 

As a scholar he was accurate and profound ; as 
a teacher, popular and successful, having at all 
times the full appreciation and respect of both fac- 
ulty and students. 

B. J. RADFORD. 

Benjamin Johnson Radford was born December 
25, 1888, at Walnut Grove, Hlinois, within a mile 
of tlie present village of Eureka. His parents were 
Virginians of English stock, with a slight admix- 
ture of Scotch on the father's side. His life, until 
he attained his majority, was upon the farm, work- 



168 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

ing in summers and attending school during the 
winters. In January, 1859, he began his first school 
teaching, at Mt. Zion, near Eureka, continuing un- 
til June. The next winter he attended Eureka 
College, and the next taught again, near Wash- 
ington, Illinois. In the spring of 1861 he again 
entered college, expecting to complete his junior 
year. Then the war came on and he went a- 
soldiering with the majority of his fellow students. 
He was mustered out of service with his regi- 
ment in June, 1864, having served more than three 
years. Having secured a clerkship in Springfield, 
at a good salary, he was married in October of this 
year to Rhoda J. Magarity, of Mt. Zion, whose ac- 
quaintance he had made while teaching there, and 
to whom he was engaged before he enlisted. In 
the spring of 1865 he was induced by O. A. Bur- 
gess, his old college teacher and captain, and who 
was then corresponding secretary of the General 
Christian Missionary Society, to enter the ministry. 
He resigned his clerkship, and after spending a 
part of the summer traveling for the Society under 
the direction of Mr. Burgess, that fall again entered 
Eureka College, graduating in June, 1866. The 
year 1867 was spent in farming, and in the spring 
of 1868 he was installed as pastor of the church 
at Niantic, Illinois. The next spring he returned 
to Eureka, purchased the Wood/o7^d {now Eureka) 
Journal, and while conducting that preached in the 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 169 

neighboring congregations on Sundays. The next 
year he was appointed Professor of Latin in his 
Alma Mater, and entered upon his work with the 
fall term of 1870. He continued in this work until 
1881, occupying the presidency of the college part 
of the time. In July, 1881, he accepted the pastor 
ate of the church in Des Moines, Iowa, and the 
next year was elected President of Drake Univer- 
sity. Double labor of pastorate and the presidency 
caused a physical break-down which compelled a 
resignation, and in July, 188R, he returned to Eu- 
reka. After a short rest he was as good as new, 
and that fall found him teaching again in the col- 
lege and preaching for the Eureka church, in both 
of which labors he had spent so many years. 

Li September, 1885, at the earnest solicitation of 
Isaac Errett, Mr. Radford accepted the pastorate of 
the Richmond Street Christian Church in Cincin- 
nati, of which Mr. Errett was an elder. During the 
next summer he was chosen as Mr. Errett's asso- 
ciate in editing the Christian Standard., and still 
occupies the position of associate editor on that 
paper. In connection with Miss Jessie Brown, he 
edited several volumes of 2lie Disciple, a period- 
ical that met with great favor among the Disciples. 
In 1890 he became pastor of the Central Christian 
church of Denver, but returned to Eureka in 1892 
and resumed his work in Eureka College, where 
this sketch leaves him. 



170 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

As preacher, lecturer, editor and poet, Mr. Rad- 
ford has become known throughout the brother- 
hood, and whatever reputation he has, has been 
justly earned by hard and continuous work. He 
was honored with the appointment of representa- 
tive of the Disciples of Illinois in our World's 
Fair Congress in connection with the Parliament 
of Religions, and gave eminent satisfaction as 
such representative. 

A. M. WESTON. 

xlsa Minor Weston was born September 24, 1836, 
at Cleveland, Ohio, and reared on a small farm 
six miles east of that city. His ancestors were 
among the lirst settlers of Massachusetts. His 
preparatory education was at Shaw Academy, 
Colamer, Ohio. Then he spent several years in 
Oberlin College, completing the Sophomore year, 
when, attracted by the fame of Horace Mann, he, 
with seven of his class-mates, went toAntioch Col- 
lege, where he graduated in 1857. Prom a child 
he was very fond of books, and apt in studies of 
all kinds. 

He taught during his college course, in part pay- 
ing his own way. After graduation he taught in a 
select Normal School in Clinton county, Ohio. In 
1860-1 was local editor of the Cincinnati Press, a 
daily paper of wide circulation in the city and vi- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 171 

cinity. Gave up the paper to enter the army in 
August, 1862. Was first private in Co. K, SOtli 
Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf. Promoted at various times, lie 
became Sergeant-major of tlie regiment and second 
Lieutenant Co. E. Served till the close of the war 
without absence or wounds. Was in the Atlanta 
campaign, also in the engagements at Perryville, 
Franklin, Nashville and other places. 

After the war was Superintendent of Schools and 
Principal of Jennings Academy, Vernon, Indiana, 
two years. Then Professor of Mathematics in Hi- 
ram College, Ohio, the first two years of its exist- 
ence as a college. Declined to remain longer when 
the responsibility and management were placed in 
the hands of one man. Married Miss Julia E. Par- 
dee, one of the teachers in the college. This union 
was blessed with one child, a daughter, now Mrs. 
Rowlison, of Troy, Pennsylvania. Then after one 
year in charge of Major College, a school for young 
ladies, in Bloomington, Illinois, he came to Eureka 
in 1870, remaining six years, three years as profes- 
sor and three as president, succeeding President 
Everest. During his presidency there was a good 
increase each year in the number of students. 

In 1876 removed to Indiana, and has greatly en- 
joyed fitting up a home and preaching according 
to occasion. Three years, from 1888 to 1891, had 
a delightful service as pastor of the church at 



172 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

Troy, Penn. Since then has been living on his 
farm near Mount Summit, Indiana. 

He considers that his forte was undoubtedly 
teaching, and was always exceedingly popular in 
school work, but never so anywhere else. All his 
life he has been subject to severe headache, and, as 
a teacher, worked too hard, and for this cause felt 
constrained to abandon this calling, declining some 
lucrative offers to take charge of schools. 

In politics he has been independent. 

Was reared in the influence of the Presbyterian 
Church, in which his father was a deacon. When 
a young man he fell into skepticism, caused by the 
unreasonableness of certain dogmas which he had 
been taught. After his graduation he heard preach- 
ing by ministers of the Church of Christ, which in 
time so disabused his mind of false impressions, 
and gave him keys to an understanding of the 
Bible, that he determined to obey the Gospel at 
the very time that he decided to enlist in the ser- 
vice of his country. He was baptized by David S. 
Burnett in Cincinnati, and the next morning found 
him on his way to camp Denison. Never since lias 
he lacked faith in or enthusiasm for the cause of 
the ever blessed Son of God. 

His life has been a busy one, but he has found 
time to write a book entitled, " Evolution of a 
Shadow." The point of view is the Sabbath as a 
tj^pe (or "Shadow" ) ; hence the name. It is an 



BIO GBA PHI CA L . 173 



interesting work and has been very generally com- 
mended by those wlio have read it. 



O. p. HAY. 



Oliver Perry Hay was born in Jefferson county, 
Indiana, May 22, 1846. His parents, Robert and 
Margaret Hay, were of Scotch descent. A. B., 
Eureka College, 1870. Married to Mary E. Hows- 
man, Jane 30, 1870. Professor in Eureka College, 
1870-3 ; in Oskaloosa College, Iowa, 1874-6. Stu- 
dent at Yale University, 1876-7. Professor in Ab- 
ingdon College, 1877-9. Professor in Butler Uni- 
versity, Indianapolis, 1879-92. Ph. D., Indiana 
University, 1887. Assistant on geological surveys 
of Indiana and Arkansas, 1887 to date. Fellow 
of American Association Advanced Sciences, 1889. 
President of Indiana Academy Sciences, 1891. Au- 
thor of various papers published in " Proceedings 
of the United States National Museum," " Bulletin 
United States Pish Commission," ''American jSTat- 
uralist," etc., on fishes, batrachians, reptiles, etc.; 
also of a report to State Geologist on the " Batra- 
chians and Reptiles of Indiana ; " also of a report 
to State Geologist of Arkansas on the "Batrachians 
and Reptiles of Arkansas." At present Honorary 
Fellow in department of Palaeontology in Univer- 
sity of Chicago. 



174 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 



D. M- BLAIR. 

D. M. Blair was born near Elizaville, Flem- 
ing county, Kentucky, Thursday, January 17, 
1839. His father was of Irish and his mother of 
French descent. He entered Ohio University as a 
student in 1857 and was graduated from the same 
in June, 1863. In the fall of that year accepted 
the professorship of ancient languages in Flem- 
ingsburg College, Flemingsburg, Kentucky, where 
he was associated with Hon. John A. Brooks. 

In June, 1864, was elected professor of ancient 
languages in Battle Ground Collegiate Institute, at 
Tippecanoe Battle Ground, Indiana, and in 1866 
was made president of the same. In 1867 removed 
to Ladoga, Indiana, and taught in Ladoga Acad- 
emy. 

In 1873 came to Eureka College and remained 
till 1878. In the fall of 1882 was elected superin- 
tendent of schools in Mason county, Illinois, and 
served four years, living in Havana. Since Decem- 
ber, 1886, he has lived in the quiet village of To- 
peka, Illinois, and taught most of the years in the 
public schools of Mason coun.ty. 

God blessed him in large measure with the gift 
of song, and in its exercise he has served faithfully 
his day and generation. 



BIOGEAPHICAL. 175 

JAMES KIRK. 

James Kirk is of Scotch-Irisli parentage, and is 
forty-five years of Mge. His fatlier was character- 
ized by industry, frugality and sobriety ; his moth- 
er by self-reliance and integrity ; both by piety. 
These qualities were his heritage. 

Because of the long illness and early death of 
his father, his youth was oppressed by poverty and 
hard work, which, combined with close study, 
overtaxed even a vigorous body. 

He worked as a farm-hand, carpenter, school 
teacher, to obtain the means of procuring collegi- 
ate instruction. He entered Eureka College in 
1867, and was graduated in 1871. In the meantime 
he was a student of law, but chose the work of 
education as a life employment. 

After a successful experience as principal of 
schools, he was called, in 1876, to teach natural 
and physical science in Eureka College. He gave 
the institution eight years of faithful service, re- 
signing in 1883 to give more time to the county 
superintendency of schools, a work which he had 
undertaken in 1881. This office he resigned in 
1889 to become superintendent of schools in Pe- 
kin. He served the schools of this city until call- 
ed to be assistant State Superintendent of Public 
Instruction in 1891. To the value of his service in 
this office, the State Superintendent has given high- 



176 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

ly appreciative expression in his last State report. 

Ill addition to his school duties Mr, Kirk has 
taught for several years, from the pulpit, the way 
of the Lord ; and the fruit of this labor is a reward 
of inestimable value. 

Mr. Kirk was happily married in 1874, and has 
had five affectionate children. God has blessed 
him. 

CARL JOHANN. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Chaux- 
de-Fonds, Switzerland, March 2, 1849. The j)lace 
of his birth is in the Jura Mountains, only a few 
miles from the boundary line between Switzerland 
and France, and here, among the beautiful scenes 
of the marvelously grand Swiss landscape, he spent 
the first fifteen years of his life. His parents, Al- 
bert and Mathilda Johann, who were only in mod- 
erate circumstances, required nothing of their chil- 
dren except that they should attend school faith- 
fully and labor diligently to secure an education. 
This the children seemed to do cheerfully. Carl 
entered the public schools of his native city at the 
age of six, and when he was fifteen years old he 
graduated from the high school. Up to this time 
he had attended school eleven months each year 
without interruption, for, in that country, the only 
vacations students ever got were two weeks at 



BIOGBAFHICAL. 177 

Christmas and two weeks in August. In this city 
nearly all the people speak both French and Ger- 
man, consequently the children learn both lan- 
guages simultaneously without knowing it. There 
it is no uncommon thing for children at play to 
ask a question in French and to receive an answer 
in German without having the least idea that two 
languages have been used. 

Having graduated from the high-school, his pa- 
rents sent him at once to the famous college of 
Lausanne, where he made an excellent record,select- 
ing mathematics and language as his major studies. 
Having developed a marked fondness for mathe- 
matics and mathematical drawing, he here decided 
to prepare himself more specially to become a civil 
engineer. At the age of 18, having completed the 
course in Lausanne, he became a student in the 
University of Aaran and afterwards in Zurich, all 
in Switzerland. At the age of twenty, with the 
consent of his parents, he went to Paris, France, 
where he studied for a time, and when he was not 
yet twenty-one years of age he decided to emigrate 
to the United States, where better opportunities 
are offered to young men of energy and educa- 
tion than anywhere else in the world. 

Though he had devoted much time to the study 
of ancient languages and to German, French, Ital- 
ian and Spanish, he had never studied English, 
and he landed in New York, as many have done 

12 



178 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

in the past and as many will do in the future, 
without knowing one word of the language spok- 
en by the people among whom he had decided to 
live. He did not have a single friend or relative 
on this side of the Atlantic and was therefore thrown 
entirely upon his own resources. 

Knowing that his slender pocket-book would not 
sustain him long in idleness, he left New York two 
days after landing, going — he did not know where 
— looking for something to do to make an honest 
living. In a few days he arrived in CoUinsville, 
Connecticut, where he was hired as a farm hand by 
a refined, religious and highly cultured Yankee 
who had made a fortune through his genius as an 
inventor. 

It is very probable that the new immigrant did 
not make a model farm-hand, for he had never 
done a day's work on a farm in his life, but he was 
willing to learn both how to farm among the stony 
hills of New England and how to speak the Eng- 
lish language. The retired capitalist and farmer 
for whom Carl Johann began to work, soon discov- 
ered that his hand had had excellent educational ad- 
vantages, in fact that he had as good an education 
as he had himself, and they soon became warm 
and intimate friends. To show how easy it is to 
learn a new language when one already knows 
several others, it is sufficient to state here that 
three months after landing in America,he had learn- 




1 B. J. Radford. 

2 A. M. Weston. 



3 J. M. Allen. 

4 Carl Johann. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 179 

ed English sufficiently well to be engaged as pri- 
vate tutor, for his four children, by the very man for 
whom he had been working on the farm. His field 
of activity was transferred from the farm to the 
comfortable sitting-room, and here, with salary 
doubled, be began his career as a teacher. Of 
course, all the teaching had to be done in English, 
as the pupils knew no other language, and the 
teacher who three months before did not know one 
word of English was now, among many other 
branches, actually teaching English grammar. 

He remained in this family thirteen months, and 
the work done during that time was eminently satis- 
factory to all parties concerned. Dr. Johann left that 
place in the summer of 1870 to go West and grow 
up with the country. Not until 1894 did he again 
meet with the gentleman whose children he taught 
in Connecticut. Then he came to Eureka to make 
his former farm hand a visit, and stated that the 
year of instruction given at that time to his chil- 
dren directed their thoughts into right paths and 
started them on the road to usefulness and success. 

From Connecticut the young teacher went to 
Chicago by way of Niagara and the great lakes. 
After suffering many disappointments in that 
city, and after having been out of employment 
nearly three months, he secured employment as a 
surveyor with a railroad company intending to 
build a road from Houston to Austin, Texas. He 



180 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

left Chicago without further delay in company 
with twelve other surveyors and reached Houston, 
Texas, by way of New Orleans and Galveston, in 
the fall of 1870. From Houston they traveled in ox- 
carts a distance of nearly one hundred miles to 
their destination, a point twenty-five miles east of 
Austin, from which point the road was to be sur- 
veyed to the capital. 

The work was done in six months, to the satis- 
faction of the company, and this surveying party 
had the honor of preparing the way for the first 
railroad that entered the capital of Texas. 

The sojourn of the surveying party was not 
altogether uneventful, for they were working in a 
practically uninhabited wilderness and were twice 
attacked by Indians, two of the surveyors being 
killed in one of the encounters, but Carl Johann 
came through unharmed. 

Returning to Illinois, the subject of this sketch 
went to Menard county, near Tallula, where he 
warked on a farm for a few months, and then was of- 
fered a position as teacher in a country school at 
$35 a month. 

His work was so successful that in less than two 
years he was receiving the highest salary paid to 
any teacher in the county, and had just been of- 
fered the principalship of the High School in 
Petersburg, the capital of Menard county, when, 
in the summer of 1876, he was offered the profes- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 181 

sorship of Modern Languages in Eureka College. 
As college work suited him better than public 
school work, he accepted the position and immedi- 
ately moved to Eureka, where he began teaching 
in September of the same year. 

For the last eighteen years he has been constant- 
ly identified with Eureka College as a teacher. In 
1886 he was elected Acting President, and in 1887, 
when Dr. Allen resigned the Presidency, Carl Jo- 
hann was elected President by the unanimous vote 
of the Board of Trustees, and he is still filling that 
office at this writing. 

In October, 1889, Carl Johann was married to 
Miss Georgina Callender, daughter of George Cal- 
lender, a former President of Eureka College, and 
they have been blessed with four children, Helen, 
Agnes, George and Albert, all of whom are living. 

Dr. Johann's parents being Lutherans, he was 
sprinkled when seven days old (he still has a 
certificate from the pastor of the church certifying 
to this) and was "confirmed" at the age of four- 
teen. While teaching in Tallula, Menard county, 
Illinois, in 1872, he had the privilege of attending 
a protracted meeting held by Brother D. R. Lucas, 
now of Indianapolis, Indiana, was convinced of 
"the better way," made the "good confession" and 
was baptized in the manner commanded by the 
Scriptures. Tallula had a strong congregation at 
that time and their pastor was one of the most elo- 



182 HISTOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

quent, logical and convincing pulpit orators in the 
Brotherhood. He was none other than W. D, 
Owen, who has since been member of Congress 
from Indiana, having served three terms, and who 
was appointed Commissioner of Immigration by 
President Harrison. For more than one year the 
new convert listened weekly to the "pure Gospel" 
as it was presented by that eminent man of God, 
and was thoroughly taught in the doctrine of the 
Restoration. 

President Johann has been quite an extensive 
traveler. During the last five years he has been 
in Europe twice, visiting England, Scotland and 
Ireland, besides all the important cities on the 
Continent, from Paris to Rome and Constantinople. 
He has also been in the West Indies three times, 
visiting Cuba, Jamaica, Hayti, San Domingo, Porto- 
Rico and many of the smaller Antilles. In the 
United States he has been in nearly every State 
from Canada to the Gulf and from the Rocky moun- 
tains to Maine. Knowing how to travel, he has 
gathered up many valuable facts and incidents, 
which he gave to the students in a series of about 
twenty interesting lectures. 

His disposition is well adapted to the manage- 
ment of a large number of young people, and he 
has never had any serious difficulties with the stu- 
dents. Under his system of government, students 
are largely controlled by calling on their own ap- 






I / 




1 H. O. Newcomb. 

2 E. W. Dickinson. 



3 A. J. Youngblood. 

4 Jas. Kirk. 



BIO GBAPHICAL . 183 

preciation of the right and on their own sense of 
honor. 

ELIJAH W. DICKINSON. 

E. W. Dickinson was born in Christian county, 
Kentucky, July 18, 1835. His parents, Elijah and 
Mary A. Dickinson, and family moved to Illinois 
the following October and settled on a farm, now 
owned by R. B. Dickinson, about two miles south 
of where Eureka is now situated. Here the subject 
of this sketch spent his youth and early manhood, 
working on the farm during the farming season 
and attending school in the winter time. He com- 
menced his career as a teacher, by teaching a dis- 
trict school in White Oak Grove during the winter 
of 1855 and '56. The next September he entered 
Eureka College as a student and continued there 
until he graduated in 1860. For several years fol- 
lowing this, most of the time was spent either in 
farming or in teaching, the greater part of the 
latter being done in or near Eureka, having taught 
years in the public schools of the village and two 
years in Eureka College as Professor of Mathemat- 
ics. In the War of the Rebellion he served as First 
Lieutenant of Co. C, 139th Reg. 111. Vol. Infantry. 
On the 5th day of September, 1861, he married 
Miss Anna M. Dennis, with whom he lived happily 
until she died, March 8, 1889. 

Mr. Dickinson is nowacitizenof Eureka, Illinois, 



184 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

and takes a lively interest in all affairs pertaining 
to religion, education and politics. 

A. J. YOUNGBLOOD. 

Andrew Jackson Youngblood was born near 
Veedersburgh, Fountain county, Indiana, January 
27, 1843. Graduated at Depauw University, Green- 
castle, Indiana, in 1869. Professor of Latin and 
History in Howard College, Kokomo, Indiana, in 
1872. Took the chair of Ancient Languages in 
Columbia Christian College, Columbia, Kentucky, 
in 1876. In 1879 was called to the same position 
in South Kentucky College, Hopkinsville, Kentucky. 
Was elected President of West Kentucky College 
in 1880 and served one year. From 18S1 to 1891 
held the chair of Ancient Languages and of Latin 
and History in Eureka College. Now a resident 
of Kokomo, Indiana. 



CHAPTER IV. 

TEACHEBS FROM 1880 TO 1894. 

N. L. Richmond— J. V. Coombs— F. M. Bruner — Heniy Lane 
Bruner— W. S. Errett— S. E. Meek— H. N. Herrick— G. W. 
Hootman — James Chalmers — Sina Stickel Thomas — H. A. 
Minassian — Roland Ellsworth Conklin — B. C. Deweese— J. M. 
Atwater — R. E. Hieronymus. 

N". L. RICHMOND. 

N. L. Richmond was born near Rising Sun, In- 
diana, Ohio county, August 29, 1856. His father 
of English and mother of Dutch descent. Both 
parents descended from first settlers. He had the 
advantage of a common school education ; worked 
at the carpenter's trade until 21 years of age. He 
then began a course of study in the Indiana State 
Normal School at Terre Haute, with a view to 
teaching. Taught in the public schools of Indiana 
for six terms of six months each, spending the in- 
tervals in college. Was a student in the Normal 
College at Danville, Indiana, when the president 
had a call from Eureka College for a teacher of 

commerce and kindred branches. Owing to his 

(185) 



186 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

proficiency in this work, at the request of the Fac- 
ulty, he accepted the position. 

He was employed in the above College four years, 
after which he engaged to teach in the Commercial 
department of Grand Prairie Seminary, Onarga^ 
Illinois. Was in this school five years. 

He was married to Miss Theona Ward of Kent- 
land, Indiana, June 18th, 1889. 

June 1st, 1892, he took a half interest in the Ot- 
tawa Business University, Ottawa, Illinois, where 
he now resides. 

J. V. COOMBS. 

J. V. Coombs was born on the farm in Boone 
county, Indiana. In 1867 he entered the academy, 
Ladoga, Indiana. He began teaching in 1868. In 
1870 he became a student at Northwestern Chris- 
tian University, where he remained two years. In 
1873 he entered Eureka College. After teaching 
several years in the public schools, in 1879 he was 
elected to' the presidency of the Indiana Normal 
College, Ladoga, which position he held two years. 
In 1882 he graduated in the Classical department 
of Chicago University. In the fall of 1883 he was 
elected to the chair of Literature and History in 
Eureka College. In 1885 he entered the lecture 
field and achieved much renown as a platform lec- 
turer, filling engagements in forty States and Terri- 



BIOGBAPHICAL. 187 

tories. In 1889 he became a general evangelist for 
the Christian church, in which calling he continues 
up to this date. He preached one hundred and eighty 
nights without the loss of one night. After a few 
days rest he started again and spoke one hundred 
and ninety nights in succession. Thousands have 
been added to the church under his preaching. In 
the last four months he has added four hundred 
and fifty. In 1888 he was married to Miss Allie 
Marlatt, Covington, Indiana. God has blessed 
them with one little girl. They now reside in Irv- 
ington, Indiana. 

F. M. BRUNER. 

Francis Marion Bruner was born in Breckenridge 
county, Kentucky, December 28, 1833, of parents 
who were of pure German descent. He entered 
Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois, in 1851 and 
took a thorough classical course, graduating in 
1857. Next year was spent in teaching and preach- 
ing at Henderson, Illinois. He married Esther 
Lane in the spring of 1858 and, accompanied by 
her, soon went to Europe to pursue his studies. He 
spent two years at the Royal University at Halle, 
Prussia, wliere he came in contact with Professor 
Tholuck, some months in Berlin, followed by a 
tour from Cologne to Manheim, thence to Lake 
Constance, and through Switzerland to Paris, where 



188 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

he spent five months in L'Ecole de Paris, returning 
to the United States after an absence of three 
years. During the first three years after his return 
he evangelized in Knox, Warren and Henderson 
counties of Illinois. In the summer of 1863 lie was 
commissioned a captain in Co. A, 7th Reg. U. S. 
Colored Infantry, and served in Southern States one 
year, when he was discharged for "disability caus- 
ed by his arduous and faithful services." 

In 1865 he was ordained to the ministry at Mon- 
mouth, Illinois, where he was minister five years, 
serving one year in the Legislature of the State 
during that time. 

In 1870 he was elected President of Oskaloosa 
College, in which capacity he served until 1876, 
when he was called to the presidency of Abingdon 
College, Illinois, where he remained until the union 
of Abingdon and Eureka Colleges, in 1885. Then 
he moved to Eureka and had charge of the Bible 
department from 1885 to 1886, when on account of 
failing health he was compelled to resign and seek 
rest and a more healthful climate. These he found 
on a mesa in northwestern Texas, and while still 
continuing his ranch life, he preaches at El Paso, 
Texas, every Lord's day. 

HENRV LANE BRUNER. 

Born in Knox county, Illinois, 1861 ; graduated 
from Abingdon College, classical course, in 1880 ; 



ill- '-^ 



r?} 




1 F. M. Bruner. 

2 H. L. Bruner. 



3 W. S. Errett. 

4 H. A. Minassian, 



BIO GBA PHICAL . 189 

spent the year 1880-81 in tlie Sheffield Scientific 
School of Yale University, and the following year 
began teaching natural sciences in Abingdon Col- 
lege ; during the summers of 1881 to 1884 was em- 
ployed, also, as assistant on the United States Fish 
Commission ; in 1884, when Eureka and Abingdon 
Colleges were consolidated, was elected to the chair 
of Natural Science at Eureka ; in 1886 resigned on 
account of failing health and spent the following 
years recuperating in Colorado and Texas ; in 1890 
married Miss Carolyn L. Aumock, of Colorado 
Springs ; elected to chair of Biology and Geology 
in Drake University in 1891, and the following 
year removed to his present home at Irvington, 
Indiana, to occupy a similar position in Butler 
University. 

W. S. ERRETT. 

W. S. Errett was born in Pittsburg, Pennsyl- 
vania, August 6, 1841. He is of English-Irish- 
Scotch descent. At tlie age of fourteen years his 
father removed with his family to Knox, county, 
Ohio, where young Errett had seven years' experi- 
ence in farm life. 

In the fall of 1862 he entered the army, serving 
as a private in the 6.jth Reg. Ohio Vol. Infantry. 
Soon after returning from this service he entered 
Bethany College, and was graduated from there 



190 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

with the degree A. B. in June, 1871. In Septem- 
ber of the same year he began his chosen work of 
teaching, in charge of the public schools at Madi- 
son, Ohio. His father dying the next spring, he 
returned to Knox county. Was married to Selena 
H. Bakewell at Normal, Illinois, February 27, 1873. 
The same year was chosen elder of the church at 
Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and soon after began preaching 
at their instance. 

Removed to Missouri in 1878; to Greenville, 
Illinois, in 1880 ; to the chair of Mathematics in 
Abingdon College in 1881 ; thence to the same 
work in Eureka in the fall of 1884. Since then 
has taught in Ash Grove, Missouri, and preached 
in Kansas and Illinois, and is now pastor of the 
church at Carbondale, Illinois. 

S. E. MEEK. 

Seth E. Meek was born near Hicksville, Defiance 
county, Ohio, at 1 o'clock a. m., April 1, 1859. He 
is of Welsh Anglo-Saxon ancestry. Was brought 
up on a farm. After leaving the High School spent 
four terms in Valparaiso, Indiana, Normal. Then 
spent three years in Indiana State University, at 
Bloomington, from which he was graduated in 
1884. 

He held the Cornell Fellowship in Cornell Uni- 
versity, Ithica, N. Y., in 1885-6. Taught in Eureka 



BIOGBAPHICAL. 191 

College from January 1887 to January 1888, and 
in Coe College from January, 1888, till February, 
1892, wlieu he was called to his present position of 
Adjunct Professor and Curator of Museum in the 
department of Biology and Greology in Arkansas 
Industrial University at Fayetteville, 

He has been temporary assistant to the United 
States Fish Commission ever since his graduation, 
and has conducted for it Scientific exploring par- 
ties in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas and 
Indian Territory during summer vacations. Was 
also member of a party under Dr. D. S. Jordan in 
the Virginias and the Carolinas, and has publish- 
ed a number of scientific papers. 

His degrees are from Indiana University — B. S. 
in 1884 : M. S. in 1886 ; Ph. D. in 1891. 

He became a Christian March 5, 1877, and was 
married to Miss Ella Tourner, of Bloomington, 
Indiana, December 25, 1886. 

H. N. HEREICK. 

Horace Nelson Herrick was born in Lewis coun- 
ty, Kentucky, August 24, 1862. His father, George 
W. Herrick, was born in Vermont, and was of good 
old Puritan extraction ; his mother, JosejDhine 
Hendrickson, was of Irish descent. 

In 1864 the family moved to Manchester, Ohio, 
and in 1865, on account of the father's failing 
health, to Wapella, Illinois. 



192 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

When eighteen years of age, Professor Herrick 
taught a country school. He entered Eureka Col- 
lege in 1881 and graduated in '86. The two years 
following he was Professor of Mathematics in his 
Alma Mater. In 1888 he became a student at Har- 
vard College, graduating there in 1890. Professor 
Herrick is a self-made man, the means used in 
procuring his education having been obtained by 
his own labor. 

He was married July 29, 1890, to Miss Mary Mu- 
sick, of Eureka Hlinois. They have two sons. 

In September, 1890, Professor Herrick took charge 
of the Greek department of Eureka College, which 
position he holds at present. 

Gt. W. HOOTMAN. 

G. W. Hootman is the fifth son of Christopher 
and Sarah Ann (Wi.nbigler) Hootmau. Born July 
29, 1861, in a log cabin near Hicksville, Ohio, his 
advent into the world at that time, in the north- 
western part of the State, started him in the exper- 
iences of the early pioneer life of that region. He 
grew to young manhood among the deprivations 
incident to farm life in a new country. 

His ancestors are, for the most part, of German- 
English descent, with a marked tinge of Scotch 
blood, and have transmitted, as a rich inheritance 
to their children, the hardy physical constitution 






o 





1 G. M'. Hootman, 

2 H. N. Herrick. 



3 R. E Hieronvmus. 

4 R. E. Ooiikliii. 



BIOGltAPHI<^AL. 193 

of tile former, coupled with the more active and 
vigorous mentality of the latter. 

When old enough he began to attend the country 
school and, of course, to help in the work of the 
farm. This he continued to do until he had reach- 
ed his twentieth year. His time in school had 
been so well employed, that, with the addition of 
a few weeks of special preparation at the Newville 
Academy, Newville, Indiana, he was granted a 
permit to teach, and taught his first school, near 
his home, during the winter of 1880-1. 

After this he immediately began his work as a 
student in the Northern Indiana Normal School 
and Business Institute, Valparaiso, Indiana, and 
continued to attend school and teach until live 
years later, when he was employed as principal 
and instructor of tlie Commercial department in 
the Defiance Normal College, Defiance, Ohio. The 
management of this institution not proving satis- 
factory, he resigned his position, and after two 
months of work in the office of the Defiance Machine 
Works, entered upon the organization of a Summer 
Normal at St. Joe^ Indiana. Before his term had 
closed he was engaged as manager and Principal 
of the Business Department of Eureka College, a 
place he has now creditably filled for seven years. 

His preparation for the special work in which he 
is now engaged, has been thorough, and is further 
13 



194 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

supplemented by a careful study of numerous cog- 
nate branches. 

At the age of twenty-five years he was married 
to Miss Clara E, Richardson of Farmer, Ohio, who 
has proven a true help-mate to him in their eight 
years of wedded life. To them have been born 
three loving cliildren , Beulah Alice, Helen Mabel, 
and Hugh Donald. 

With these extra gifts of God's sunshine to 
cheer him, and the consciousness that the success 
of the past ma}^ only foreshadow the possibility of 
still higher achievements and greater usefulness in 
the future, he can hopefully anticipate the brighter 
days of the years that are before him. 

JAMES CHALMERS. 

James Chalmers was born in Ontario, Canada, 
November 22, 1859. He is of Scotch-Irish parent- 
age. In his seventh year his parents moved to 
Grand Rapids, Michigan, and he received his ele- 
mentary education in the excellent public schools 
of that State. He was afterwards educated at the 
University of Michigan and Eureka College, the 
latter institution conferring upon him successively 
the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Phi- 
losophy. In 1892 Western Michigan College con- 
ferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws. 

He was Professor of English and Philosophy at 
Eureka College in 1887-89 and was then elected to 





{ 


1 




Le . -■ f ' 


6 


r*'j- 


r 



1 




1 1). M. Blair. 

2 J. V. Coombs. 



3 Jas. Chalmers. 

4 S. E. Meek. 



BIOGBAPHICAL. 195 

the chair of English Literature at Ohio State Uni- 
versity, a position which he still holds. 

In 1888 he was married to Miss Lizzie Anderson 
of Grand Rapids, Michigan, then a student in the 
University of Michigan. Two children have been 
born to them — James A. and William Wallace. 
They have a beautiful and happy home in Colum- 
bus, Ohio, with one of the largest and choicest 
libraries of English literature in the State. 

SINA STICKEL THOMAS. 

Sina Stickel Thomas was born in Putnam county, 
Illinois, March 11, 1865. Her parents, Hiram and 
Sarah Stickel, were both of English descent. The 
family moved to Princeton, Illinois, in 1880. Here 
she attended the public schools, and graduated at 
the township High School in 1886. She entered 
the School of Oratory, Northwestern University, 
in the fall of 1886 ; received her diploma from this 
department in the spring of 1888, and was engaged 
as teacher of Elocution in Eureka College the fol- 
lowing fall. 

She was married to L. R. Thomas, September 10, 
1890, and resigned her work as teacher in the col- 
lege in the fall of 1891, having served the institu- 
tion three years. 

She now resides at Milford, Illinois, where her 
husband is pastor of the Christian Church. 



196 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

H. A. MINASSIAN. 

Harootune Avedis Minassian was born June 13, 
1867, at Sevas, Turkey, from pure Armenian par- 
entage. In 1879 he completed the high school 
course of the missionary school in Sevas, the same 
year filling a vacancy in the staff of teachers in 
that school. 

From 1880 to 1886 he studied at Central Turkey 
College, nearly completing the Scientific course, 
and graduated from the Medical department. 

Spent the summer of 1885 traveling in Mesopo- 
tamia ; was assistant to Surgeon F. D. Shepherd at 
Aleppo in 1886 until the fall, then came to Ameri- 
ca. Entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College as 
a graduate student and obtained its degree in 
March, 1887 ; served as physician to two of the 
dispensaries of the New York Medical Missionary 
Society until September of that year, when he came 
to Eureka College. Entered the Biblical depart- 
ment. Received the degree of B. S. in 1889, B. S. 
and B. S. L. in 1890. The same year accepted the 
position of Professor of Sacred History in Eureka 
College, in which capacity he has since served. 

He was joined in wedlock with Jessie Bruner 
December 25, 1890. 

E. E. CONKLIN. 

Roland Ellsworth Conklin was born at Cham- 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 197 

bersbui'g, Illinois, December 16, 1860, of New Eng- 
land ancestry. 

He attended the public schools until his father's 
death in 1877. 

Two years later he entered Abingdon College, 
completing the academic course in 1883. A year 
later he entered Eureka College and graduated in 
the class of '8Q. After two years' teaching in the 
public schools he was elected to the chair of Nat- 
ural Science in Eureka College. During the sum- 
mer of '89 he accompanied a Harvard Geological 
party on a tour through the Eastern and Middle 
States. Having been granted leave of absence from 
the college, for the further study of Natural His- 
tory, he entered Harvard University in 1891, re- 
ceiving his degree the following year. The present 
year is being spent in graduate work in Zoology 
in the same institution. 

B. C. DEWEESE. 

Benjamin Cassel Deweese was born August 10, 
1851, near Jacksonville, Illinois, of Kentucky par- 
entage. The toil necessary for the support of the 
family deprived him, during early life, of most 
educational privileges. Self-instruction partially 
made good this loss. 

He obeyed the gospel in February, 1867, and 
was baptized by Elder Enos Campbell. In Sep- 
tember, 1870, he entered Kentucky University at 



198 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

Lexington, Kentucky. After five years of student 
life he graduated in June, 1876, from the College 
of the Bible, at that time one of the colleges of the 
university. 

His life has been devoted to the ministry and to 
teaching. At the first his preaching was divided 
between general work and serving churches in 
smaller fields. In 1879 he located at Cadiz, Ken- 
tucky, where he preached for four years. The 
next church to which all his time was given was at 
Henderson, Kentucky. From this field he was 
called to succeed B. J. Radford in serving the Rich- 
mond Street Church, Cincinnati, Ohio. Thence to 
Columbia, Missouri, from which church he remov- 
ed to Eureka, October, 1889, to become Principal 
of the Biblical department in the college. In 1876 
he began a course of study preparatory to the 
work he is now doing. This was rigidly pursued 
for the fourteen years which passed before the call 
to Eureka College. 

In 1881, without previous consultation, he was 
elected principal of the Cadiz High School. This 
spontaneous call was accepted, and before the 
school year closed he was elected to the chair of 
Ancient Languages in South Kentucky College, 
Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Soon after taking this 
new position he was elected President. His con- 
nection with the college continued until the build- 
ings were burned, when he accepted the care of the 



.>o 






•/« 



t" '' n^'i 




X Sina Stickel Thomas. 
2 N. L. Rk'hmoud. 



3 B. C. Deweese. 

4 J. M. Atwater. 



BIOQBAPHIGAL. 199 

church at Henderson, Kentucky. Besides this reg- 
ular work a number of young men received private 
lessons in Greek and Latin in preparing them- 
selves for college. Several schools have secured 
his services for part of his time, where he preach- 
ed, to teach classes in Greek and Latin. 

As a preacher Professor Deweese has always , 
specially labored for the spiritual growth of his 
congregations. He loves teaching, and every call 
for such work has come without solicitation from 
him or his friends. 

April 13, 1875, he married Miss R. E. Downing 
of Lexington, Kentucky. They have had but one 
child, whom they buried several years ago. His 
wife has devoted her life towards making his work 
a success, and to her belongs much of the credit 
for whatever of good they have wrought. 

In 1890 he was called to take charge of the Bible 
department of Eureka College, which position he 
still holds. He loves his class work and is emi- 
nently successful in it. 

J. M. ATWATER. 

John Milton Atwater was born June 3, 1837, at 
Mantua, Portage county, Ohio. His four grand- 
parents were all iS'ew England people. 

His early life was spent on the farm, where milk- 
ing cows, handling horses, chopping wood, hauling 



200 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

logs, building fences, breaking steers, running 
sugar camp in spring, haying and harvesting in 
summer, gathering apples and husking corn in 
fall, and going to school in winter, made every 
year a busy one, and developed brain and brawn 
for the work of life. 

The religious influence under which lie grew up 
was earnest and devout. His father, Darwin At- 
water, was a charter member and officer of the 
flrst church of Disciples organized in northern 
Ohio, at Mantua. His mother, Harriet Clapp, was 
a charter member of the church at Mentor, formed 
a little later. 

At the age of fourteen he entered what is. now 
Hiram College. At twenty-one he was made a 
member of the facultj^ Mr. Garfield being at that 
time President of the school, and continued there 
three years. He began preaching in 1859 at 
Hiram. In 1861 he entered Oberlin College, grad- 
uated in 1863, and then took a two years' post- 
graduate course there. 

In 1866 he was called back to Hiram to be the 
head of the school there, and continued in that po- 
sition till 1870. From that time till 1887 he gave 
his time almost entirely to preaching, holding pas- 
torates in Syracuse, N. Y., Worcester, Mass., 
Springfield, 111., and Cleveland, Ohio. 

In 1887 he was chosen a professor in Garfield 
University, Wichita, Kansas, and later was made 



biogeAphical. 201 

Dean of the College of the Bible in that institu- 
tion. After the suspension of that school, he was 
elected, in 1891, Professor of Latin and History in 
Eureka College, Illinois. From there he was call- 
ed in 1892 to be President of Oskaloosa College, 
Iowa, where he is now engaged. 

R. E. HIERONYMUS. 

Tile ancestors of Robert Enoch Hierouymus 
came originally from Germany to Virginia. Emi- 
grated later to the "Blue Grass" region, Kentucky; 
then came to Illinois in 1828. 

His parents, Benjamin R. and Susan Mary 
(Mountjoy) Hieronymus, lived in Logan county, 
Illinois, where he was born, December 8, 1862. 

After the district school, he attended and grad- 
uated from Illinois State Normal University, and 
later from Eureka College. He then spent one 
year in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. 

His mother died when he was eleven years old, 
and from that time until he attained his majority 
he lived with an uncle, Enoch Hieronymus. 

Since the fall of 1889 he has been teaching in 
Eureka College, in the department of English Lan- 
guage and Literature, 

He was married June 26, 1890, to Minnie Frantz, 
at Wellington, Kansas. Two children bless their 
home — Faith Helene, and Frank Mountjoy. 



CHAPTER V. 

MUSIC AND ART TEACHEB8. 

Susie Smith Johnson — Belle Johnson Allen — Emma Smith DeVoe 
—Eugene Plowe— Eva M. Wright— Ella F. Taylor— Emma E. 
Page— W. W. Lauder— Mina Vandervoort Miller— J. W. Met- 
calf — Charles W. Campbell — Sarah Garrett Humphrey — Clara 
Hatch Stevens — May Irene Burrows — Jessie Bruner Minas- 
sian. 

SUSIE SMITH JOHNSON. 

Sasie (Smith) Johnson was born January 14 ^ 
1839. Her youth was spent at Bridgewater, Ver- 
mont. She completed her education at Ludlow 
Academy. Came West in 1858 and engaged as teach- 
er of Music in Eureka College, giving instruction for 
several years before and after marriage. 

Was married to Professor R. H. Johnson, in Ver- 
mont, August 11, 1862, and was associated with 
him in his work the remaining years of her life. 

She died, beloved by all, at Oskaloosa, Iowa, 
September 20, 1890. 

BELLE JOHNSON ALLEN. 

Belle (Johnson) Allen was born February 20, 

(202) 




1 Susan Smith Johnson. 

2 Bplle .lohnson Allen. 

3 Laura Fisher Gibson. 



4 K. H. Plowe. 

5 Eva Wright. 

6 Ella F.Taylor. 



BIO GBAPHICA L . 203 

1843, at Washington, Illinois. Was graduated 
from Eureka College in 1865. 

She assisted her brother in the Academy at 
Williamsville, N. Y., shortly after graduation. 
Returning to Eureka in the fall of 1866 she enter- 
ed upon the work of teacher of Music in the col- 
lege. 

On the 29th of June, 1867, she was married to 
John W. Allen, removing with him to Johnstown, 
Pennsylvania, where he was in charge of the Chris- 
tian Church. In April, 1868, Mr. Allen being call- 
ed to the charge of the church in Omaha, Nebraska, 
they removed thither, where Mrs. Allen died in 
December of the same year. 

EMMA SMITH DE VOE. 

Emma Smith was born in Warren county, Illi- 
nois, in 1848. In 1859 she removed with her par- 
ents to Washington, Tazewell county, Illinois, 
where she was married to J. H. DeVoe in 1880. 
She received a very liberal education. 

Her public life began when she took charge of 
the Music department in Eureka College in the 
year 1870, where she taught through the session of 
1870-71. 

Whatever success she has attained she attrib- 
utes largely to influences started and aspirations 
born at Eureka. Especially does she feel herself 



204 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

indebted to Father and Mother Darst, and she 
never tires of singing their praises. 

In 1881 she removed with her husband to Huron, 
D. T., w^here they remained until 1891, w^hen they 
came to Harvey, Illinois. 

Mrs. DeVoe took active part in the temperance 
wars that finally made two prohibition States out 
of Dakota Territory. In 1889 she became State 
Lecturer for the Equal Suffrage Association. She 
is now National Lecturer in her chosen field. She 
devotes all her time to this work and is in demand 
everywhere. 

EUGENE PLOWE. 

Eugene Plowe was born May 17, 1851, in Wads- 
worth, Medina county, Ohio. He is of German 
descent on his Father's side, and Canadian-Ameri- 
can on his mother's. 

Attended Hiram College, and later taught vocal 
music there. 

Studied Voice under the celebrated Carlo Bas- 
sine, and Piano under A. R. Parsons in New York. 

Took charge of the department of Music in Eu- 
reka College in September, 187J, and resigned in 
the summer of 1877 to locate in Peoria, where he 
has been engaged in teaching Music ever since. 
He is no v President of the Peoria Conservatory of 
Music, which is just closing its third year. 



BIOGBAPHICAL. 205 

EVA M. WRIGHT. 

Eva M. Wright, daughter of S. and C. A. Wright, 
was born in Indiana, near Rockville, in 1859. Her 
father is of Welsh, and her mother of Scotch de- 
scent. She removed to Eureka, Illinois, while yet 
a child, entering the college as a student at the 
age of 13, remaining for the greater part of four 
years, after which she took a two years' course at 
Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois. She 
studied music under Professor E. H. Plowe, Pro- 
fessor J. W. Metcalf, and Professor J. R. Gray, all 
of whom were connected with the Musical depart- 
ment of Eureka College. 

Miss Wriglit taught music in the college during 
the year 1878. She removed to Pittsburgh, Kan- 
sas, in 1890, where she is still engaged "in teaching 
music. 

ELLA F. TAYLOR. 

Ella F. Taylor was born at Geneseo, Illinois, 
March 2, 1854. In 1868 removed to Brooklyn, N. 
Y., and while there made a specialty of the study 
of music, under such instructors as Miss Hanly, 
Professor Albert Rowse, and Professor John Zun- 
del. 

In 1875 returned to the West. After several 
years spent in teaching music in Illinois and Kan- 



206 HISTOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

sas, went to Boston, Mass., where she spent three 
years in studying and teaching music. 

In 1889 completed the Normal course of Music 
in public schools, and in 1890 graduated from the 
Teacher's Vocal course at the New England Con- 
servatory of Music. 

Is now located in Tempe, Arizona. 

EMMA E. PAGE. 

Emma E. Page was born at Metamora, Illinois, 
in 1852. The English, Scotch and German are in- 
terwoven in her remote ancestry. The Pages were 
among the sturdy planters of the Plymouth Col- 
ony. 

Her father, A. N. Page, was a minister of the 
Church of Christ, and her mother was a great 
worker for the Master, They removed to Tazewell 
county in 1856, and in 1874 went to Champaign, 
that their children might have the advantages of 
the State University. 

Miss Emma graduated there in 1878, taking the 
honors of a class of forty. She took a post-gradu- 
ate course and a second degree. From 1879 to 
1881 she was the music teacher in Eureka College. 
Later she taught music in Ottawa, Kansas, and in 
Kansas City, Missouri. 

In 1888 she went with her parents to Mannville, 
Wyoming, which is still her home. In 1892 she 



a^4^ 




1 Emma Pafre. 

2 J. W. Metc-alf. 



5 Mina VaiKlervort. 



3 W. Wautfh Lauder. 

4 Emma Smith DeVoe. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 207 

was made chairman of the Prohibition State Cen- 
tral Committee, and she is now in the lecture field 
for the W. C. T. U. 

W. W. LAUDER. 

W. Waugh Lauder was born in 1856 in Canada. 
He is of Scotch, Huguenot and G-erman descent — 
Armstrong ("Belted Will") and Brechleugh, Scotch; 
the famed historian Grotius, German ; the Hugue- 
not noble De Toof, French. His father was a well 
known parliamentarian and barrister. 

Mr. Lauder has been pianist of the Toronto, Can- 
ada, "Philharmonic Society; " leader of the Angli- 
can Choir of Leipzig, Saxony ; member of the fam- 
ous " Riedel Yerein " of Leipzig ; of the St. Cecilia 
Society of Rome, Italy ; and has trained choruses 
in Bloomington, Cincinnati and London. 

He has been director of music of Helmuth Col- 
lege, Canada ; of Eureka College, Illinois ; of Cin- 
cinnati Wesleyan College, and Ohio Conservator}^ 
of Music, Cincinnati ; and Professor of the New 
England Conservatory of Boston. 

He is now a leading critic, teacher and virtuoso 
of Chicago ; special critical correspondent to the 
Musical Courier from Chicago for the Columbian 
Exposition, and organist and choir-master of the 
Central Church of Christ, Chicago. 



208 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

MINA VANDERVOORT MILLER. 

Mrs. Mina Yandervoort Miller was born at Cedar 
Point, on a farm near Pern, La Salle county, 111., 
June 26, 1863. Her father, Dr. T. A. Vandervoort, 
was born in Ohio, of Holland Dutch and German 
descent. Her mother, Isabella Noble, was born 
in Ohio, of Scotch and French descent, whose gen- 
ealogy is traced back to the French Huguenots 
who left their country and went to Scotland, and 
came from there to Maryland. 

Dr. Vandervoort and family moved to Tonica, 
Illinois, in 1864, where they lived until 1890, when 
they moved to Normal. 

After finishing the course in the High School in 
Tonica, Mrs. Miller went to Eureka and studied 
music under Professor Metcalf, and painting under 
Miss Sadie Garrett, during the years 1882-3-4-5 
The last year she assisted Miss Garrett in the 
painting department, and the following year 
studied under Mr, Waldo, a well-known artist in 
Chicago. In 1887-8 she took Miss Garrett's place 
in the x\.rt department of Eureka College. 

In May, 1891, she was married to Mr. G. A. 
Miller, an alumnus of Eureka College, who was 
then preaching in Monroe, Wisconsin. In Decem- 
ber, 1891, he was called to succeed Mr. A. P. Cobb, 
pastor of the Christian Church in Normal, Illinois, 
where they are now living. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 209 



J. W. METCALF, 



John W. Metcalf is a native of Illinois, having 
"been born at Waverly, Morgan county, December 
10, 1856, of American parents. 

At an early age he developed a talent for music 
and was placed in charge of the best instructors 
obtainable. His literary education was secured at 
Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, and at Chicago 
University, Chicago. He took charge of the Music 
department in Eureka College in September, 1874, 
and remained through two school years. In the 
fall of 1877 he went abroad to further pursue the 
study of music. Was accepted as a regular stu- 
dent at the Royal Academy of Music, at Leipsic, 
Germany, where he remained four years, finishing 
with honor, and was awarded a prize and a special 
diploma. 

On his return to America he again took up the 
work at Eureka, where he spent several years, then 
taught a few years in the Boston Conservatory of 
Music. 

The last two years he has been teaching in Le- 

land Stanford, Jr., University, his home being in 

Oakland, California, He has composed quite a 

number of works for the piano forte that have 

been published, and has been quite prominent as 

a public performer. 
14 



210 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

CHARLES W. CAMPBELL. 

Charles W. Campbell was born in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, January 22, 1849. He was a son of George 
Campbell, one of the pioneers of the Reformation 
in Indiana. 

Leaving the common schools he spent two years 
in Fairview Academy under Professor W. M. 
Thrasher. 

He served a few months in the army in 1864 ; 
was a student in Northwestern Christian University 
in 1865-6-7 ; became a student in Eureka College 
in 1869, and graduated with the class of '72. Was 
at once employed as Professor of Drawing and 
Painting. Studied law and was admitted to 
practice at Bloomington in 1874. 

Was married March 30, 1875, to Miss Jean E. 
Neville, a graduate of Eureka College. They 
soon removed to Tazewell county, and thence to 
Topeka, Kansas, which is now their home. 

At Topeka he has served as Assistant in the 
State Adjutant General's office, and in the office 
of the Auditor of State, and is now in the United 
States Pension office at Topeka. 

His best work has been rendered to the church. 
In season and out of season he has served it well. 
As treasurer, he has systematized the business 
management until the church in Topeka is a model 
in the administration of its business affairs. As 




(f ^ 










1 C. AV. ('anipbell. 

2 Sadie Garrett Huiiiphrfv, 



3 Eiiiiua Hatch Stevens. 

4 Jessie Bruuer Minassian. 



BIOGBAPHICAL. 211 

Elder of the church he is chairman of the Official 
Board, and has always maintained harmony and 
unity in its work. 

He is a member of the Kansas State Board of 
Missions, and its treasurer, and is greatly useful 
in its business management and methods. 

B. L. s. . 

SARAH GARRETT HUMPHREY. 

Sarah Jeanne Garrett was born July 26, 1860, at 
Peoria, Illinois. She was the second daughter of 
Auren and Wilhelmina Garrett, being of Scotch 
descent on her mother's side, while her father was 
a native of New York State. 

From childhood she chose an artist's life, com- 
mencing her life work at the age of eighteen. At 
the age of twenty she took charge of the Art de- 
partment in Eureka College, remaining four con- 
secutive years. After an absence of one year she 
returned, continuing until lier marriage to Andrew 
B. Humphrey, when slie went West. Still follow- 
ing her chosen profession, she became Directress 
of the Art department at Hall Institute, Iowa. In 
1889 she returned to Illinois, and is now in Chi- 
cago. 

CLARA HATCH STEVENS. 

Mrs. Clara Hatch Stevens was born in Harrods- 
burg, Kentucky, April 22, 1855, of English descent 



212 HISTOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

on her father's side, and French on her mother's. 

Was graduated from Jacksonville (Illinois) Fe- 
male Academy in 1878. Afterwards took a post- 
graduate course at Hamilton College, Lexington, 
Kentucky. Studied Art during the entire time at 
these institutions under the best teachers ; and 
afterwards at the Art Students' League, New 
York cit}^, under Mr. J. Carroll Beckwith, and pri- 
vate lessons of Mr. Frank Fowler and Mr. R. M. 
Shurtleff in the same city ; also had lessons of Mr. 
Dennett Grover and Mr. Louis C. Earle of Chicago. 
Has exhibited paintings in the Academy of Fine 
Arts, Brooklyn, New York, St. Louis and Chicago. 
Had charge of the Art Department three yeai'S at 
Drury College, Springfield, Missouri, and after- 
wards at Eureka, Illinois. 

In 1893 she received an appointment from Mrs. 
Potter Palmer, President of the Board of Lady 
Managers, Chicago, of the World's Columbian Ex- 
position, to assist in the mural painting of the 
Woman's Building. 

MAY lEENE BURROWS. 

May Irene Burrows was born in Atlanta, Illinois^ 
December 16, 1861, to Dr. and Mrs. C. H. Burrows. 
She was educated in Atlanta High School and Illi- 
nois State Normal University, and was a teacher 
seven years in the public schools of Minier,Atlanta 



BIOGEAPHICAL. 213 

and Tonica, Illinois, durino- whicli time she was 
pursuing the study of Art. 

She spent the session of '86 and '87 in Eureka 
College as Art instructor, since which time she has 
studied art in New York under the ablest artists 
of this country. 

Her life has been a steadj^ advance toward suc^ 
cess in her chosen profession. 

At present she is finishing her third year as Art 
instructor in St. Mary's Hall, Faribault, Minnesota. 

Her mother was of Swiss and her father of Eng- 
lish descent. 

JESSIE B. MINASSIAlSr. 

Jessie Bruner Minassian was born February 6, 
1867, at Monmouth, Illinois. Ancestry, German 
and Scotch. She lived with her parents at Mon- 
mouth, Oskaloosa, Abingdon and Eureka, success- 
ively. Attended the public schools and Abingdon 
College, graduating from the latter in 1884, and 
taught school the following year. In 1886 she 
studied music at Eureka College, and since 1887 
has devoted her entire time and attention to her 
chosen profession — xlrt. Studied painting in oil 
with Professor L. A. Loomis, graduate of Royal 
Academy of Berlin ; portraiture with Mr. J. A. 
Bunch of Chicago, and Professor C. C. Minor of the 
Chicago Art Institute, and watercolors with Artist 



214 HISTOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

White. Taught art at Cambridge, Illinois, through 
the fall and winter of 1889. 

She gave her hand in marriage to Dr. H. A. Mi- 
nassian, December 25, 1890. 

Took charge of the Art department of Eureka 
College, January, 1892, and has since removed to 
Des Moines, Iowa. 

She spent the summer of 1892 sketching in Wis- 
consin, making a large collection. 



REMINISCENCES. 



REMINISCENCES OF EUREKA. 

Woodland, Cal., March 2, 1893. 

Miss Elmira Dickinson : 

My Dear Friend — You ask me to give you a 
chapter of "Reminiscences of Eureka" and my 
memory goes back to the summer of 1847, when 
my father, John T. Jones, first made liis home in 
Walnut Grove. The name "Eureka" had not then 
been thought of. Tlie stately walnut trees were 
standing in their original majesty. The wild 
blackberry vines were loaded with their luscious 
fruit, and hazelnuts hung temptingly overhead 
and upon each side of the narrow footpath. The 
mocking-bird and the whip-poor-will sang undis- 
turbed in their native forest, and the quail, pheas- 
ant, wild turkey, gray squirrel and red deer lured 
the hunter to spend many a day in the leafy grove 
with only his gun for a companion. 

All the features of a pioneer settlement were 
here, and the neighborhood was especially favored 
in having leading men of intelligence and high 
moral and religious principles. No physician's 
services could be had without sending many miles, 
but Ben Major, everybody's "Uncle Ben," was 

(217) 



218 HISTOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

always reiidy to leave hia own work to answer the 
call of distress. Whether the angel of life or the 
angel of death had called, his kind voice and ready 
skill were there to rejoice with the happy or to 
comfort the broken-hearted. 

I have heard my father say that "the difference 
between Uncle Ben and other men was this ; that 
while the latter wonld say, 'If I had not such a 
piece of work to do I would visit Brother A., who 
is sick;' Uncle Ben would say. 'If Brother A. were 
not sick, I would plow that field to-day.' " This 
good man was a native of Kentucky, and becom- 
ing convinced of the evils of slavery, wished to re- 
move his family from its influences, but could not 
conscientiously sell his slaves in order to get rid of 
them. 

About this time Colonization Societies were being 
formed to send negroes to Liberia, and Uncle Ben 
became convinced that this was the best solution 
of his difficulty. He therefore sent his slaves to 
Liberia, having first taught them to read and 
write, and regularly sent them needed supplies un- 
til their coffee and sugar plantations were matured 
and would enable them to provide for themselves. 
Others united with him in this benevolent scheme 
and a Colonization Society was formed in Walnut 
Grove. At one of its annual meetings, Uncle Ben 
read aloud a letter from one of his former slaves, 
who addressed him as "My dear father," and said 



BEMINISCENCES. 219 

that he had sent him a sack of coffee from his own 
plantation. The tears were in 'Uncle Ben's' eyes 
as he read this letter, and his voice trembling with 
emotion said, "Brethren, that coffee will drink 
sweet without any sugar." 

There was but one church building in Walnut 
Grove in '47, and all meetings of general interest 
were held there. That house stood where the Eu- 
reka cemetery now stands. It was customary to 
announce all matters of importance after the Lord's 
day services. If any were sick it was then made 
known, and arrangements made for their being 
properly cared for during the ensuing week. Young 
men would volunteer to go upo i a certain day to 
feed the stock, chop the wood, sit up at night, 
if necessary, until every day was provided for. 
The busy matrons would find time to ride to the 
house of affliction, carrying a basket of ready-cook- 
ed food, such sweet home-made bread and glasses 
of jelly for the sick, and for the well more substan- 
tial supplies. This was done, not as a deed of 
charity, humiliating to the recipient, but as one 
sister might offer needed help to another. 

At one time, a young man, upon whom fell the 
support of his father and sisters, was sick. The 
young men of the neighborhood assembled, 
plowed his land and put in his crop, so that when 
he was again on foot he had not lost the season 
and thus fallen financially behind. This kind of 



220 HISTOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

practical Christianity was the rule, and not the ex- 
ception in this community. 

In the summer of '47 or '48 my uncle, Joshua 
Jones, and his wife, ''Aunt Sally," made us a visit, 
bringing with them two school friends of mine from 
Jacksonville, Illinois. Uncle Joshua was slow and 
deliberate in all his ways. He was an intelligent 
man ; a deep thinker, of good education for the 
times. Afterwards he moved to the Grove, and for 
a long time served as an elder in the Christian 
Church. Aunt Sally was an energetic, impulsive 
woman, with a quick appreciation of the humor- 
ous. One day we were visiting a friend, when our 
hostess asked me how Brother Gorin was. Aunt 
Sally spoke up quickly and said, "What is the 
matter with that Brother Gorin ? Everybody asks 
about Brother Gorin." Our kind-hearted hostess 
answered, with a face full of sympathy, "Indeed, I 
don't know, Sister Jones, just what's the matter 
with him, but I believe the poor man has a spine 
or something in his back." My friend, Mary, sat 
demurely in her chair, but it was more than Betty 
and I could stand, and Aunt Sally, seeing our un- 
successful eflforts to control our laughter, came to 
our relief and suggested that we go out and see 
*'Aunt Liddy's" (?) loom, which we certainly found 
to be the most amusing loom that had ever been 
constructed. 

The actors in this scene are all gone, all but my- 



IIEMINISCENCES. 221 

self. Tlieir life work well and faithfully done, 
"tliey have entered into their rest." 

Large families were the order of the day, and it 
is told, tiuly, no doubt, that a mother whose chil- 
dren had all grown out of babyhood had set out 
for "meeting" in the wagon with her husband. 
For some reason she was nervous and could not 
ride comfortably in her chair. At last she said, 
"Stop, old man, stop ! I know what's the matter. 
Get out and get me a chunk to carry in my lap. 
I'm so used to carrying a baby I can't ride with- 
out holding something." 

In '49 a protracted meeting was held by D. P. 
Henderson and A. Procter, then just returned 
from Bethany College. A large number, about one 
hundred, were added to the church. William 
Davenport and my father administered the or- 
dinance of baptism, standing at the same time in 
the clear, pebble-lined stream, and receiving the 
candidates as they were lead to them. 

One of our neighbors had long been the only 
member of his family in the Christian Church, his 
wife professing a different faith. At this time he 
had the pleasure of seeing his wife and five of their 
children and a son-in-law go, following their Sav- 
iour, down into the waters of baptism. Every 
heart was touched and many an eye was tilled with 
tears. It was an interesting time when this army 
of new converts was received into the fellowship 



222 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

of the church. As was always then the custom, 
they were called to the front and received from the 
lij^s of the evangelist or pastor, instructions as to 
their duties. Every effort was made to deepen the 
impression already received and to plant their feet 
more firmly in the untried path before them. The 
importance of Bible study and prayer was espe- 
cially enjoined. Tlien followed the right hand of 
fellowship with much rejoicing and many tears. 
Objections are often made to an emotional relig- 
ion ; but we claim that our religion is from God, 
and "God is love,'- and love is surely an emotion 
as well as a princij)le. 

My home in Eureka was one of peculiarly loving 
associations. It was here that were passed the 
last hours given me to spend with a dear mother. 
The most intimate confidences of our lives were 
here enjoyed, as I was just budding into woman- 
hood, and here I learned most fully to appreciate 
the loveliness of her character. Her elasticity of 
spirit rendering her habitually cheerful, her rare 
unselfishness and tlioughtfulness of others, the mu- 
tual sympathy with which we appreciated the 
same authors, the unvarying neatness of her at- 
tire, her deep conscientiousness and her love for 
me, made hers a character to be loved and rever- 
ed. When I left her for the last time she was 
standing by the yard gate as I bade her goodbye 
and rode away, and never can the picture of her 



BEMINISGENCES. 223 

earnest, wistful face fade from 1113^ mind. Stie Ivnew 
it was the last time, but I did not, but I know she 
awaits me on the other shore, aud that that loved 
face now wears a happier expression than it ever 
wore on earth. "Thanks be to God for his unspeak- 
able gift." 

The settlers of Walnut Grove fully appreciated a 
liberal education, and at an early day in the 
forties decided to improve the privileges of their 
children in this regard. Soon after my father be- 
came a citizen here he erected for me a log 
schoolhouse in his own yard, where the labors 
of my life were inaugurated. Here I presided 
over seventeen girls, twelve of whom were some- 
what my seniors in age. "Many remain to this 
present, but some are fallen asleep." 

My methods of teaching at that time need not 
be criticised now, but could doubtless be im- 
proved. The teacher, at the age of fifteen, was her- 
self learning many a lesson to be utilized in future 
fields. My school was broken up by an epidemic 
of measles, and never reassembled. The sor- 
rows of that winter will long be remembered. Many 
homes were made desolate, and those who were not 
afflicted were kept busy caring for the sick. Death 
claimed one of my pupils, Miss Amanda Wilkin- 
son, of Metamora. 

The nanie"Eureka" was chosen for the new post- 
office, and I well remember when my father and 



224 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

"Uncle Davenport" announced the fact at our 
house. I think they had selected the name. 

A school-house was built not far from the church 
in '48, and A. S. Fisher installed as teacher. He 
had been educated at Bethany College and was 
unsurpassed for thoroughness and conscientious 
devotion to his work. Later he became a profes- 
sor in Eureka College and served in this capacity 
for many years. In the early records of this insti- 
tution his name must ever stand prominent — a 
synonym of faithfulness. His wife was Miss Susan 
Palmer, a daughter of the pioneer preacher, Henry 
D. Palmer, and an aunt of Mrs. 0. A. Burgess, the 
National President of the Christian Woman's 
Board of Missions. 

Every step accomplished only encouraged these 
earnest men to plan for greater things, and at 
length to determine to plant a college in the grow- 
ing town of Eureka. You know, my friend, that I 
had then returned to Jacksonville, Illinois, to com- 
plete m}^ course of study, and you and others who 
remained on the ground can more faithfully chron- 
icle the subsequent events connected with the his- 
tory of the college. If, however, a community ever 
merited the success it has achieved, that place is 
Eureka. And, although the heads are laid low 
that originated the idea of a great educational in- 
stitution here, and the hearts have ceased to throb 
that worked and sacrificed for its accomplishment, 



BEillNISCENCES. 225 

Still, "their works do follow them" in the noble 
college, whose influence is so broad, and which 
stands a lasting monument to their memory. 

It was my privilege in '92 to revisit this spot, so 
linked with the past, and once more to be the hon- 
ored guest of those friends of former years. There 
are still the descendants of the Majors, the Dickin- 
sons, the Radfords, the Davenports, the Mitchells, 
the Bullocks, the Joneses, the Darsts and others, 
whose sterling traits show them to be worthy rep- 
resentatives of their worthy sires. 

O Eureka! Eureka! How shall my pen do jus- 
tice to thy generous hospitality ! How my heart re- 
sponds to the love-feasts with which thy tables were 
spread ! How the past, with all its tender memor- 
ies of mother, father and home, crowds upon me — 
scenes no more to return in this life ! Manj^ happy 
days have been mine, but adown the vista of time 
no skies are more bright than thine, no memories 
more dear to my heart ! Yours sincerely, 

Mes. Sue. E. Grant. 
15 



OLD ACADEMY DAYS IN WALNUT GROVE. 

Over forty years ago — in the year 1850 — I enter- 
ed as a student of AYalnut Grove Academy, which 
a college charter, a few years later, transformed 
into Eureka College. The school, opened not long 
before in a single room, had just been transferred 
to the new brick, with a chapel and two recitation 
rooms, a building w^hich, in those days of begin- 
nings, was regarded as a magnihcent structure. 
The teachers in charge were Professor Asa Fisher, 
who has the honor of planting the germ which 
grew into Eureka College, and Elder John Lindsey, 
who has long since rested from his labors. A little 
later the place of the latter was taken by Profes- 
sor John H. Neville, who continued long after the 
two or three years had ended that I ]3assed in the 
academy. Among my fellow students in that 
period I recall Miss Elraira J. Dickinson, so well 
known in our missionary work ; Miss Nannie Led- 
gerwood, now Mrs. Bargess, the beloved President 
of the Christian Woman's Board of Missions, and 
the founder of Burgess Hall, and Miss Caroline 
Neville, better known in these later times as Mrs. 

Pearre, to whom the conception of the Woman's 

(226) 



REMINISCENCES. 227 

Board of Missions is to be credited. It is enough 
to enslirine Walnut Grove Academy as a sacred 
memory that it has equipped three women so 
nobly for their beneficent work. 

It would be hard for one who has only seen 
Eureka in these later times to picture the pri- 
meval condition that existed forty years ago. 
The brush had been trimmed out of a small 
space around the academy and in the vicinity 
of the old frame church where the forefathers 
worshiped. A heavy wood and dense thicket 
covered the whole area of the j^resent college 
campus. A path ran diagonally through the 
tangled undergrowth to "Uncle" John T. Jones's, 
where I found a home. This dense wood often- 
re-echoed to youthful oratory as the young Patrick 
Henrys practiced in preparation for the weekly 
literary society. Occasionally some flight of elo- 
quence awoke a response from a mischievous fellow 
student who, attracted by the sound, crept up and 
astounded the orator by his sudden applause. I 
have a vivid recollection of an experience of that 
kind myself, which so paralyzed the wings of my 
Pegasus that he came down with a bounce. 

It is still a pleasure to recall those primitive 
days. Life was so real. All was so hearty and 
joyous. The student life, though far removed from 
that of the present, was robust and helpful. Al- 
gebra, with the mysterious results worked out by 



228 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

the unknown quantities, opened to oar visions a 
wonderland, and the conj aeration of Amo or Tiqy- 
to seemed to bring the ring of the matchless peri- 
ods of Cicero and Demosthenes. Then the mem- 
ory of the worship in the low frame church by the 
cemetery, and of the ancient worthies who bowed 
at the altar there — such men as Myers, and Dick- 
inson, and Major, and Radford, the men who 
builded better than they knew — is one that can 
never cease to be an inspiration. 

One incident of those early times, a part of my 
school experiences, seems to me to be worthy of 
a place here. In the fall of 1853 Alexander 
der Campbell made a visit to Illinois in the inter- 
est of the endowment of Bethany College. As 
there were no facilities for railroad travel, he was 
carried over the country in the carriages of the 
brethren. He aimed to make one address per 
day, at widely separated points, and came from 
Lacon, I think, the day he spoke in Walnut Grove. 
A vast audience gathered, from many miles over 
the country, long before he arrived. W. W. Hap- 
py, of Jacksonville, addressed them for a while, 
in order to occupy the time, but the people were 
so impatient to hear the great reformer that 
the words of Elder Happ}^ fell on dull ears. At 
last Mr. Campbell came and entered the pulpit. I 
had never seen him before, but none of that audi- 
ence needed anyone to inform them that the mag- 



BEMINIiSGENCES. 229 

nificent looking man was the famous President of 
Betliany College. He was then over sixty-five 
years old ; his hair was iron gray, but his face 
was fresh and his eye like the eagle's. His superb 
physical frame showed no signs of decay; he was 
in the prime of his intellectual strength; his voice 
rang out like a bugle, and as he spoke that day 
upon the mystery of Godliness, one of his favorite 
themes, he thrilled his audience as I had never 
heard mortal man do before. It is a tribute, not 
only to the impression which he made, but to the 
large-hearted liberality of the churches at Walnut 
Grove and in the vicinity, that $2,500, if my mem- 
ory is not at fault, was subscribed on that day to 
the endowment fund of Bethany College. When 
we consider that the wealth of the region was not 
one twentieth of what it is now, that the citizens 
were nearly all small farmers, and that they were 
burdening themselves to found a literary institu- 
tion in their own midst, their response was remark- 
able. 

What I have written thus far all pertains to the 
pre- college period, in which the forces were at 
work which a little later crystallized into Eureka 
College. I write of this because it w^as my period 
of student life, and the memories of it are rosier 
than when, some years later, I was burdened with 
the duties and anxieties of a teacher in the col- 
lege. I will, however, mention one experience of 



230 HISTOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

the latter period which can be recalled by many 
who will read t1iis sketch. In the spring of 1861, 
in the month of April, I went down to Peoria to 
remain over Sunday. On Saturday evening the 
boom of the cannon firing upon Fort Sumter roll- 
ed over the land, and came with mighty reverbera- 
tions upon our West. On Sunday, thoughts of 
battle mingled with the hymns to the Prince of 
Peace, and an eagerness for tidings from Sumter 
made men forget the glad tidings of the Gospel. 
On Monday morning I hurried back to my duties 
at the college, over which I was presiding, and as 
I came in sight I saw the Stars and Stripes proud- 
ly floating from its pinnacle. On the campus I 
met the students, engaged in drilling for the tented 
field, and the formation of a company had already 
begun. That company. Company G, of the Seven- 
teenth Illinois Infantry, carried some of the noblest 
young men to the front that ever offered their lives 
for their country. Of these James Skelton and 
Charles Dickinson were shot down at Shiloh, 
though the latter lingered, an invalid, for many 
years ; J. H. Rowell, after the war, went to the law 
and to Congress ; H. D. Clark, J. W. Allen and B. 
J. Radford are known, and loved, and praised in 
all our churches for their work's sake. T. R. Bryan, 
of Kansas City, was another of the band. He is not 
a preacher, but is well known as the Treasurer of 
the Church Extension Fund. 



BEMimSCENCES. 231 

Memories come so thickly that I am tempted to 
write a history instead of a brief sketch, and it re- 
quires some self-denial to restrain my eager pen, 

B. W. Johnson. 



TRANSITORY REMINISCENCES OF WALNUT 
GROVE AND EUREKA— 1851-1855. 

The committee to whom has been assigned the 
duty of preparing a History of Eureka College, in 
order to get a few chapters of "early days," had 
to cast their eyes about for a "back number." 
Hence my selection as one antedating the familiar 
things of the present day, with the expectation 
that nearly forty years of active business life 
could be passed over without mention in the retro- 
spection of incidents and tales of yore that are ex- 
pected to be resurrected. 

Well, to begin, it was "Walnut Grove" when I 
first put in my appearance. Then the trees were 
cut down, and it was "Sturaptown." After the 
trees were removed they were enabled to find it — - 
hence the name "Eureka." 

I was not long in finding out that I was at home 
with kinfolks, as it was, "Uncle Ben" (Major), 
"Uncle Billy" (Davenport), "Uncle John T." (Jones), 
"Uncle Joshua" (Jones), "Uncle Davy" (Deweese), 
"Uncle Elias" (Myers), "Uncle Abisha" (Myers), 
"Uncle Elijah" (Dickinson), "Uncle Ben" (Radford), 

"Uncle Caleb" (Davidson), and others, nearly all of 

(232) 



BEMINISCENGE8. 233 

whom had wives that were "Aunts" of course, to 
say nothing of a numerous progeny of descendants 
who might have been called cousins. 

We boarded around in the neighborhood with 
the citizens, as there were no regular boarding 
houses. In fact we did not need them, as they "took 
us in" for almost nothing — $1,75 per week. 

The nearest post-office was at Washington, eight 
miles distant. We spent a good portion of the day 
Saturday in finding out and visiting those who had 
been to town Friday, so that we could get our let- 
ters one day in advance, without waiting till Sun- 
day, when the farmers would come to church and 
distribute the mail. The Walnut Grove Academy 
mail was usually sent by anybody who happened 
to go to town. 

About the first mail from Eureka (which was 
carried on horseback) carried a great many epistles 
of which the following will serve as a sample : 

"April 1, 1852. 

"Mr. : 

"We hope you will not be offended when you find that 
you have been April-fooled by the 

"Stumptown Girls." 

One of the striking features of the place — one 
not likely to be forgotten — was the frame church 
building, now long since abandoned. Whether or 
not its body "lies mouldering in the tomb" in the 
cemetery which now occupies its former location, 1 
do not know. It was a low, broad structure with 



234 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

two doors in the end, and the pulpit between them. 
It had an inclined floor that would have reached 
the ceiling had it not fortunately found the rear 
end of the building just in time to prevent a tall 
man from bumping his head. 

The location of the pulpit served to prevent the 
running out and in of the youngsters, some of 
whom, no doubt, came from neighborhoods where 
the practice was in vogue, as was the case in most 
new settlements of the country. At one place I 
heard of, where the custom had become a regular 
nuisance, the new preacher was notified by the 
officers of the church so that he would not be taken 
off" his guard and nonplussed in his sermon. Being 
thus apprised, he proved himself equal to the oc- 
casion. On entering the pulpit he remarked that 
it was quite cool in the room, and if any of the 
people had holes in their stockings they were at 
liberty to go out during the sermon and warm 
their feet. As none went out, it was said (to the 
credit of the mothers and wives) that they had at- 
tended to the darning on Saturday night, and it 
was not necessary for the preacher to think about 
darning the stockings, or the wearers either, dur- 
ing the sermon. 

"Lida's Wood" had its antetype in the "Bower 
of Beauty" (only the ghost of itself now — 1893 — re- 
maining) which was presided over by Professor 
Fisher and his estimable wife. Many of the young 



EEMIXISCEXCES. 235 

ladies boarded there, and they were supposed to 
be under the strictest surveillance ; but many were 
the billet doux\\\2^t passed up and down the stove 
pipe that went through another room. I sometimes 
have wondered if we that have passed through the 
"boy and girl" period, ever stop to think of those 
by-gone days (when we think we are exercising 
the same surveillance), and wonder if we don't 
know how it was ourselves. Those billet doux 
always got there, do now, and always will. 

Then there was the "Queen's Palace" that was 
kept by those maiden ladies, the Kings. That was 
a resort for the male students. Who can now 
think of the place without associating with it the 
names of John W. Owen and John L. McCune — 
generally called John - Leander-Honey-my-dear- 
Mitchell-McCune, not for short, but because of a 
love affair — as that was their boarding place. 

There were no saloons, but there was a famous 
drinking place just east of the academy — Walnut 
Grove Spring. We all resorted there at recess 
and at the noon hour to quench our thirst. Like 
the famous spring of Dan, it was the source of a 
"Jordan," but its name was not assigned to it on 
account of its similarity in that respect, bnt from 
the song that runs, "Jordan is a hard road to 
travel, I believe," as was demonstrated by its 
steep banks that were wonderfully in the way (dur- 
ing the icy and rainy times) of the boys who 



236 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

thought they were good enough to "pass over Jor- 
dan" to see the young ladies who lived south of 
that famous gully. 

The usual pranks of students ("human natur" is 
always the same) were played, but the writer be- 
ing a good boy will let some one else tell of most of 
them. In proof of goodness one incident might be 
mentioned. It was the custom at the close of the 
"morning hour" for Professor Fisher to name the 
person or persons that might need disciplining, to 
meet the faculty in the "south room," naming the 
hour that their presence would be expected. In 
the morning aluded to, he announced that with 
others Mr. Pickrell would please meet the faculty. 
As quick as thought, Mr. George Pickrell jumped 
to his feet and asked, "Which Mr. Pickrell ? The 
pupils smiled audibly, even Professor Fisher al- 
lowing the rings to spread over the corners of his 
mouth when he replied, "Mr. George Pickrell." 
More than one, if they relate reminiscences, will 
remember that room. 

Spirit-rappings (ought to be spelled wra2yplngs) 
were creating some excitement about that time. A 
medium (a woman) was located a few miles from 
the academy. A party was made up to pay her a 
visit. The enquirers were requested to place them- 
selves around a box and put their hands on it. 
After a few communications had been received 
from the spirit land, it w^as suggested by some 



BEMINISCEXCES. 237 

incredulous person (there are nearly always some 
of that kind in such crowds) that perhaps the 
spirits communicated through the toes of the medi- 
um, and to be certain there was no deception, a 
committee was appointed to hold her feet. This 
intimidated to some extent the spirits and they re- 
fused to respond. As there was likely to be but 
little fun, one of the "toe"' committee held on witli 
his hands but did the rapping himself, much to the 
relief and amusement of the medium, as it got her 
out of a had box and edified the spectators. 

Dr. J. M. Allen, who was then a practicing phy- 
sician, afterwards a minister, and then President 
of Eureka College, was a frequent visitor to the 
room that Professor Neville and myself occupied. 
One night he staid late. The weather was inau- 
spicious, a heavy snow was falling, and upon invi- 
tation of his hosts he decided to remain over night 
in the one-third of the bed that had been so gener- 
ously tendered him. The guest occupied the post 
of honor by sleeping "before," with Professor 
Neville in the "middle." The next morning Pro- 
fessor Neville was missing. Neither the Doctor 
nor myself having been disturbed, we were at a 
loss to know what had become of him. After we 
had retired the snow had ceased to fall, so that the 
tracks he had made in his escape were plainly 
visible. We had roasted him out, and he had 
struck for the doctor's bed for a morning nap. 



238 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

I would be remiss in my duty if I forgot to men- 
tion the ladies' and the gentlemen's magazines 
that were published once a month, printed with a 
pen. They formed a kind of safety-valve for the 
school. All were required to write "compositions" 
but they were not required to read them but three 
times" a month. The fourth week, on Friday after- 
noon, they assembled at the church, the inhabit- 
ants being invited and welcomed to hear the news 
read from them by the editors, who were succeeded 
by some aspiring youth and maid every month. 
The authors who contributed were reported by the 
editors to the faculty, so as to excuse them from 
writing a composition and reading it themselves, 
hence the relief, safety and relaxation from being 
always so.lemn, as compositions were rated as ser- 
ious affairs. 

The gentlemen's magazine of March 2, 1855, is 
before me. Some of the subjects treated were: 
"Reading" (an editorial), "History," "Views," 
"Lost, a Heart," "Imagination," "Intemperance," 
a poem "To the Trustees," "A Ship at Sea" (poet- 
ry), "Whiskers or Beards," "The Philosopher's 
Stone Found," a letter addressed to Miss Fide (who 
had advertised for a husband) by Timothy Scruggs, 
"The Last Farewell," "Musing," a few verses styled 
"I Can't Do It," "Murder," "Bloomers," "Influence 
of a Woman," "Love," "A Valentine," etc., besides 
"Ye Locals." 



BEMINISOENOES. 239 

The Stirring times came in the sprtng, when we 
were invited by Mr. John Darst to visit his sugar 
camp (now in the heart of the town) at night, to eat 
maple sugar and wax. One evening is especially 
remembered, when about half a dozen of his boys 
— there might have been more — were inclined, 
fully as much as the big kettles of sugar water, 
to boil over, their spirits exuberating with fuh 
and frolic. But when their father pointed his 
finger at them and said, "Settle, boys, settle,'' 
they at once subsided, but they didn't stay 
"settled" very long at a time (though, finally, 
several of them did actually "settle" not very far 
from the spot where the camp was located). It is 
needless to add that we had a sweet time. 

Space and time forbid, or I might go on and 
write how we always got lost when we went sleigh- 
riding in the big sled with four horses, in going, 
as we always did, to Mr. Kinnear's ; or how we 
got to and from the "Grove" by private convey- 
ances, as no public ones went that way. 

We could not go with the mail, because, even 
after the office was established, the mail was car- 
ried in a sack on horse-back. It was a mail con- 
trivance, anyway, while the school was male and 
female. 

Or I might tell about the "Old Folks' Home" 
that the church established for the benefit of old 
Brother and Sister Moffett, and about how one of 



240 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

the elders every Sunday would call for two volun- 
teers to go each night through the week to care 
for them ; and about the first store, that was kept 
in a room about fifteen feet square, by Mr. Ster- 
ritt; and how he brought tin dinner-horns that 
were all bought one night by some of the boys 
who went out and made the welkin ring, till the 
merchant was sick of hearing them, but when he 
tried to get them to desist, they replied that they 
"bought them to blow." And how proud we were 
when the firm of Clark & Jones opened a store on 
the corner west of the academy, and how big we 
felt when we found that we were not in an acad- 
emy at all, but in a sure-enough college, having 
had the good fortune to have it brought to us. 
We being Oliarter Members required no matricu 
lation fee or initiatory ceremonies, you see, so we 
kept right on in the "middle of the road." Or, 
I might tell how, when one of the societies held 
an election for officers by ballot, one of the boxes 
was "stuffed," and when the fact was announced 
the member who did it rose very gravely and said, 
"If any one is guilty, let him speak." 

I will leave these, and many other incidents of 
such nature, to be expatiated upon at greater 
length by some one who remembers about them, 
or others of the same kind. 

But before closing let me say that the thirty- 
eight intervening years have failed to ex- 



BEJIIXISCEXCES. 241 

tinguisli the pleasant memories of teachers and 
fellow students. Nor would these reminiscences 
be complete without a kind word in memory of 
the good men we called uncles, most of whom have, 
I believe, "joined the great majority," where they 
will receive their reward. My remembrance of them 
is of the kindliest sort. They were whole-souled, 
liberal, self-sacrificing, social, worthy members of 
society. Long live the memory of their good 
deeds. J. H. Pickrell. 

Chicago, III. 
16 



SWEET AND SIMPLE SERVICES. 

Eureka College is part of the fruit of the spirit 
of "attempting great things for God and expecting 
great things of God," which so characterized the 
early Church of Christ in Walnut Grove. Among 
the earliest recollections of the writer some of the 
sweetest are of the simple services led by Uncle 
Ben Major and Uncle Elijah Dickinson. As I look 
back nearly half a century, I see the plain meet- 
ing-house. The doors are open, for it is Sunday 
morning. The windows are open, for it is a sum- 
mer morning. The sweet-faced, matronly women 
enter by the north door, and occupy the shady, 
fragrant north side, "No silks rustle, nor envious 
eyes encounter." It is literally homespun and 
harmony. The young men and boys are gathered 
in the shade of some neighboring tree, satisfy- 
ing a social hunger begot by six days in the 
wilderness of the corn-fields. The young women 
and girls are here and there in groups gathering 
bloom in hands and cheeks. Then there comes 
out through the doors and windows the summon- 
ing solo, "Safely through another week," and 
everybody knows that "Uncle Lijah" has begun 

(242) 



EEMINI8CENGES. 243 

the service of song. The strong, uncultured voices 
of the men, and the tender trebles of the women 
help to swell forth, "God has brought us on our 
way." The young people file in, and at the last 
verse the chorus is full, and prett}^ much the 
whole community for miles around is in the 
house. Then the little fat hymn-book oj)ens at 
another place, and "Come let us anew" swells 
forth, and the congregation is in line to "Our jour- 
ney pursue." Dear, saintly band of singers ! I 
have heard Thomas' and Gilmore's, and the tune- 
ful "divas" over whom the world runs mad, but I 
would resign the privilege of ever hearing them 
more for the sake of listening to you once again. 
But it may be that among the "lost chords," too 
sweet for earth, even that may be picked up again 
over there. 

THE FIRST MEETING TO BUILD THE ACADEMY. 

The meeting was called in the east room of the 
Walnut Grove Seminary, afterwards called "The 
Palace," because a family by the name of King- 
afterwards occupied it for a dwelling. The new 
academy building was to be of brick, and, what 
was hitherto unknown as to school-houses here- 
abouts, two stories high. Plans of the architec- 
tural wonder were shown at the second meeting,aiid 
after various futile attempts to satisfactorily ex- 
hibit them, somebody said, "Put the paper behind 



244 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

the candle," Then everybody saw. Have we so 
placed the Clospel candle before Eureka College 
that all the brethren in the State can see it ? We 
have been trying to. Then Uncle Billy Davenport 
made a speech to arouse enthusiasm. And he 
knew how. He astonished us by saying, "Yes, 
and upon this magnificent building we will have a 
bell that can be heard from Tom West's to Bowl- 
ing Green." Those were about the limits of the 
world for some of us. The house came, but not 
tJiat bell. But other belles came, more musical 
and beautiful, and many of them remain unto 
this day, but some are fallen asleep. The build- 
ing of such a house was a great undertaking in 
that day, but after much discussion. Uncle Ben, 
the guide and autocrat of the neighborhood, said, 
pointing to E. B. Myers, '-You give $150," and to 
David Deweese, "You give $150," and to himself, 
"And you give $150," and then suggested what 
others might do, and the thing was done. His 
main contention was that they must build an in- 
stitution where young men should be educated for 
ministers of the Grospel. When we stop to think 
of the scores of strong and successful preachers 
who have been educated here, and of the three- 
score young men now in the Bible department, we 
suspect that these men builded wiser and larger 
than they knew — perhaps larger than any of us 
know. 



BEMIXISCENCES. 245 

AN EXCITING EPISODE. 

During the winter of 1860-61 the political ex- 
citement throughout the countr}^ was at fever heat, 
and, of course, the college did not escape the infec- 
tion. Before the end of the winter terra seven of 
the Southern States had seceded, and the "Confed- 
erate States of America" had been organized at 
Montgomery, Alabama. There were in the college 
some half dozen or more of young men (some of 
them from the South) who were avowed, outspoken 
and not over-discreet Secessionists. They continu- 
ally provoked the anger of the \oyn\ students, both 
Republicans and Democrats, by their disloyal 
talk. Soon after the beginning of the spring term 
the excitement was greatly increased by the attack 
upon Fort Sumter, and some of the Secessionist 
boys threatened to hoist a rebel flag on the public 
park in Eureka. This so stirred the popular wrath 
that matters began to look serious for the thought- 
less young fellows. At this crisis one of the loyal 
students — who a few days afterward enlisted in 
the service — undertook to do a little missionary 
work among them. He got together four or Ave of 
them in a room of the old boarding-hall, and, after 
explaining to them as best he could the state of 
the public temper, he kindly advised them to be 
more discreet, and by all means avoid giving fur- 
ther offense. 



246 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

Instead of receiving this well-meant advice in 
the spirit in which it was proffered, the young men 
informed their would-be adviser that when they 
needed his counsel they would call for him. The 
latter withdrew, and it was about two o'clock in 
the afternoon. The more lie thought the matter 
over the hotter he grew, until at last he decided to 
give the young " fire-eaters," as the boys called 
them, a lesson. Proceeding to a store, he pro- 
cured two yards of white muslin, upon which he 
painted, during the afternoon, a palmetto tree with 
serpent coiled about it, and a lone star; making 
what was then supposed to be the confederate em- 
blem. Having attached this to a pole, he awaited 
the approach of midnight, when he and another 
student climed one of the most conspicuous trees 
in the public park and thrusting the pole above 
the topmost branch, securely fastened it there. 
Early in the morning they were upon the ground 
to witness the outcome. Soon men and boys be- 
gan to collect in front of the business row on the 
west side of the park, and the news rapidly sjDread 
that "those fellows had put up a rebel Hag on the 
square." 

It was a bright spring morning with a soft south 
wind, and before the sun was far on his daily 
route an excited crowd was gazing upon the "rat- 
tlesnake rag" triumphantly flaunting treason in 
their faces. Finally a young man volunteered to 



BEMINI8CEXCES. 247 

bring it down from its lofty perch. When it was 
brought into the midst, the crowd looked upon it 
a moment in dazed wonder, and then made a sim- 
ultaneous rush for it. In twenty seconds pole and 
flag were broken and torn into fragments. The 
pieces were piled upon the ground, a match appli- 
ed, and the offending rag was reduced to ashes. 
Then the silence was broken by a prominent 
citizen who said, in a voice trembling with sup- 
pressed emotion, "I will give a hundred dollars to 
know who put that up." Another, and another, 
and another spoke up, rapidly swelling the sum to 
be oifered as a reward for the coveted information. 
Matters were getting serious for the Secessionists, 
but it leaked out somehow that the thing was a 
hoax. But the indiscreet fellows learned a lesson. 
For the first time they concluded to keep their 
mouths shut, and they soon departed for more con- 
genial places. B. J. Radford. 
Eureka. III. 



FROM A STUDENT OP 1855 AND 1858. 

On a pleasant Aj)ril afternoon of the year of 
grace 1855, with a modest equipment of baggage 
and books, I first entered Eureka, to become a 
student at "Walnut Grove Academy." A year 
or two before some sense of waste of time and 
energy in the follies of youth had come upon me, 
and I had taken a round turn upon some of my 
habits, thus gaining more hours and strength for 
self-culture. Now in my twentieth year, with the 
day of my majority nearing, and the graver real- 
ities of life at hand, I felt the need of more sys- 
tematic mental discipline and equipment than the 
desultory opportunities of local schools, of the 
printing-office and home offered, valuable as these 
were in the absence of better ; and having heard 
nothing but good of the Academy of Walnut 
Grove, may be attracted also by the classic name 
already chosen for its post-village, I settled upon 
that school for such short attendance as the re- 
mainder of the academic year allowed. 

On the morning of the Sabbath day, the day 
next before my start for Eureka, the large frame 

flouring mill which, after agriculture, furnished 

(248) 



BE3IimSCENCE8. 249 

the pioneer industry to Lacon, where I then lived, 
had burned, and my duty as foreman of the local 
hose company hail led me to " the perilous age of 
battle, where it raged," so that I reached Eureka 
the next day with a badly scorched and thickly 
swathed hand. Nothing, however, detracted from 
the pleasure with wliich I rode under the noble 
shades of the beautiful grove which then stretched 
almost unbroken across the present lines of the 
railways intersecting at Eureka and across most 
of the present site of the village. 

" The groves were God's first temples. Ere man learned 
To hew the shaft and lay the architrave, 
And spread the roof above them, — -ere he framed 
The lofty vault, to gather and roll back 
The sound of anthems, — in the darkling wood. 
Amidst the cool and silence, he knelt down 
And offered to the Mightiest solemn thanks 

And supplication 

Be it ours to meditate 
In these calm shades thy milder majesty. 
And to the beautiful order of thy works 
Learn to conform the order of our lives." 

Eureka was then a little place. Probably not 
one-tenth the number of its present population 
resided permanently in the hamlet. Scarcely a 
house considered as belonging to it stood on 
any other road or street than that in front of the 
Academy buildings. I do not at this moment 
recall any other store or shop than the small but 
exceedingly varied mercantile establishment and 



250 HISTORY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

post-office kept at the crossing of the roads, by 
the hale, good-natured Clark, whose family formed 
so large an element in the educational and par- 
ticularly social life of the place. There was but 
one Academy building proper, besides the board- 
ing-house. The chapel and recitation-rooms were 
all under a single roof, occupying a small, but 
then sufficient, two-story brick building, called the 
Academy. A few rods from it, and nearer the 
road, was the frame boarding-house, which, judg- 
ing from the picture in the recent catalogue before 
me, may be the present " Hall No. 2." Here I 
was most kindly and hospitably received by mine 
host, John Major, brother of Jo Major, whose 
name I am glad to recognize in the list of the 
present Board of Trustees. I am sure he has a 
warm place in the hearts of all his former board- 
ers. Under a previous landlord it had been a 
favorite trick of the boys to accomplish the easy 
feat at a meal of eating up everything upon the 
table, and then piliiig the plates. But no one 
ever proposed the like in Major's time there ; in 
fact, it was practicably impossible. An ample 
supply of phiin but wholesome and toothsome 
food ahvaj^s awaited us, whose partaking was al- 
ways prefaced by pious thanks duly rendered to 
the Giver of all good. 

The teachers of the time were principally Pro- 
fessor Fisher, whom I had .the pleasure to meet at 



BEMINISCENCE8. 251 

his present home in Kansas City three years ago, 
and Professor Neville, a brilliant young bachelor 
who was nioch the object of tender solicitude on 
the part of young lady students and match-mak- 
ing mammas, whom I also met with great satisfac- 
tion long after in Lexington, Ky., where for many 
years he has been a successful teacher. Among 
the students whom I remember best, and most of 
whom have made reputable if not famous figures 
in affairs since, were Ben Radford, later a graduate 
of ^QQ^ minister, editor and lecturer of large note; 
Ben Davenport, who afterwards went to Harvard, 
and has since had, I am told, a rather varied, per- 
haps picturesque career as lawyer and politician ; 
Noel Meek a few years afterwards Sheriff" of Wood- 
ford county ; the Earls, H. S. and Jo, of whom the 
former blessed my sight last j^ear at the State Dis- 
ciple Convention in this city, on his return from 
some years' service in Liverpool, England ; Henry 
Clay Mannen, a one-armed student of excellent 
disposition and culture, who died during his at- 
tendance here ; Libbie Maxwell (since Shaw, and 
now Halsey), grand-daughter of one of the oldest 
and most useful ministers in Northern Illinois, the 
Rev. Father Palmer, and daughter of one of the 
best citizens Marshall county ever had ; Anna 
Major, and a few others. 

M}^ short term passed rapidly and most pleas- 
antly in the lovely grove and among its kindly 



252 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

and gentle people. Almost every one in the set- 
tlement was then of the Discij)le faith, and most 
of them were Kentuckians. Their warm-hearted 
friendliness and hospitality, the seclusion and 
quiet of the scholastic retreat, its absolute freedom 
from drunkenness or other outbreaking vice, and 
the superior advantages offered by the school, 
comparatively humble as it was, combined to 
make my brief sojourn there one of the brightest 
spots of a generally happy and healthful life, now 
verging hard upon six decades. One of my favor- 
ite walks had been to the verge of the great prairie 
but a little distance to the east of the buildings ; 
and during the next three years far and away, the 
pleasantest excursions I took from my home at the 
northward were across the prairies to the dear 
school-home in the grove. 

" These are the gardens of the desert — these 
The UDshorn fields, boundless and beautiful, 
For which the speech of England has no name, 
The prairies. . . . Lo! they stretch 
In airy undulations far away, 
As if the ocean in his gentlest swell 
Stood still, with all his rounded billows fixed 
And motionless forever." 

I quote this, also the " Forest Hymn " above, 
perhaps needlessly, but from (to me) a surpassing 
interest of association, since I use in quotation the 
identical book that at least once accompanied me 
in these delightfal rides, — an early edition of 



liEMINISCENCES. 253 

Bryant, lately in my father's library, but since liis 
lamented death last year one of the most-prized 
treasures of my own. The gifted lady friends who 
were sometimes my companions in these tours ; the 
remarkably accomplished music teacher for a year 
at the school, Miss Ellen Frances True, of Ohio, 
sister of one of the young Buckeye poets of the 
time, she accompanying me on a Sunday trip to 
one of Bro. Burgess's church services at a distance 
in the grove; and others whose memory is delight- 
fully bound up with these occasional visits, are 
also bright among the recollections of those years. 

Progress was observable at every visit. The 
Academy had become the College in 1855, but 
took form as such rather gradually. The talented 
Burgess joined the faculty, also Barton Johnson, of 
the pioneer Washington family, whose brother, J. 
B,, is my neighbor in Detroit, as the popular pas- 
tor of the Central Christian Church ; and tempo- 
rarily others who aided to give the new foundation 
power and fame. 

The sturdy Scotch scholar-farmer, George Callen- 
der, was for a time President, but had left the 
chair he occupied, as had also Burgess for the 
time being, Neville and Miss True, when I return- 
ed in the spring of 1858 to take some further 
preparation for an Eastern college. The Presi- 
dent of the school was now that fine classical and 
general scholar of German stock, Dr. Charles 



254 HIS TOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

Louis Loos, whom I am happy to meet here al- 
most every summer, as he makes his annual visit 
to his daugliter, Mrs. Campbell, of Detroit. The 
faithful Fisher still remained, with Johnson, these 
three being the only full professors. S. E. Pearre, 
M. D., was assistant professor ; Miss M. Josephine 
Myers, assistant in the Preparatory Department ; 
and Mrs. M. Augusta Buckley, teacher of music. 
The railroad, then the eastern extension of the 
Peoria and Oquawka, by this time connected the 
village with Peoria, and hopelessly broke the old- 
time solitude and stillness of the place. A busier 
village had begun to cover the forest spaces be- 
tween the college and the tracks ; the jDost-ofRce 
had been removed to the new town ; the community 
had become more mixed, not altogether to its ad- 
vantage, and generally a new era had set in. 
There was still a good school there upon the old 
site, however; the first college building had been 
erected, though it did not yet contain a full-fledged 
college. Again my limited term passed quickly, 
profitably and happily. The catalogue of that 
year is before me, and bristles with points of 
interest. The old families of Eureka and Wood- 
ford County, and those of similar names in other 
regions, muster strong in the lists of students of 
thirty-five years ago. Here are nine Myerses, five 
boys and four girls ; as many Martins divided 
as seven and two ; Skeltons, five and two ; Clarks 



BEIIINISCENCES. 255 

and Joneses, each three and four ; Davidsons, four 
and two ; Wests, three and three, and Wellmans, 
three and two ; Smiths six, and Darsts five on the 
male side only; Hales four; Hayneses, Burtons, 
McCulloughs and Conovers, three each, on the 
gentler side only (I believe an incidental remark 
of mine concerning the Conover home, that had 
also some attractive lady boardeis, gave it name 
as "The Bower of Beauty") ; Majors, four and one ; 
Bakewells, three and one ; Brubakers, two and 
one; Dickinsons, Radfords, Bullocks, Grahams 
and Paynes, three boys or young men apiece ; 
Gastmans and Hallams, two each. The two Doug- 
las sisters, of Vinton, Iowa, were great social favor- 
ites. A number of these students staid by the 
college to full graduation — Rowell, since Congress- 
man of high repute, in 1861, also the year of 
Tommy Bryan, now of Kansas City; of Carpenter, 
since a college president at Colusa, Cal. ; of Mollie 
Clark Hawk, of Mt. Carroll, 111.; Dave Hallara, 
merchant at Los Angeles, Cal.; Rutilia Gillum 
Hoyt, of Forest, 111.; A. H. Smith and Sallie David- 
son Crawford, of Eureka ; J. Frank Davidson, 
Esq., of Hannibal, Mo.; and Rev. H. D. Clark 
("Deacon" of old), Mt. Sterling, Ky. Sixty-one 
was the great year of the students of '58. The 
previous year had brought the pioneer graduate 
of the college proper — Lige Dickinson, who I see 
remains at the old home. In 1852 the sole Eureka 



256 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

graduate was the Rev. Sam Hallam, now of Bel- 
ton, Texas ; the next year came Leroy Skelton, 
since deceased, and Elder Eli Fisher, whom I 
gladly met in the summer of 1888, at his home 
amid the mountains of Montana ; and in '68 Laura 
Fisher Gibson, now with or near her people in 
Kansas City ; S. F. Davidson, a Chicago editor, 
and Emma Clark Crow, of Pittsfield, 111. 

Others will contribute such abundant and pos- 
sibly redundant store of personal reminiscence 
that I need not take time and space for mine. I 
simply add that I account the Dedication Address 
for the H. C. Mannen monument and the Repre- 
sentative Address for the Periclesian Society, dur- 
ing the closing days of my last term at Eureka, 
as the most satisfactory honors of all my school 
life. Blessings on the dear old place! I would 
adopt and adapt for it the personal German bene- 
diction, "May you live a thousand years!" 

Henry A. Ford. 

Detroit, Mich. 



EXPERIENCES OF A MINISTERIAL STUDENT. 

Among the many interesting experiences that 
enter into the life of a college student, it is difR- 
calt to fix npon those which ought " to have tirst 
place in a brief chapter of reminiscences. Perliaps 
it is as well to begin with a glance at ante college 
days. 

When a little boy, living in Eureka, the writer's 
notions of the college students were about the same 
as those of other "youngsters' ' of the town, name- 
ly, that they were a lot of conceited young folks, 
who felt themselves to be above their juniors, and 
whom it would vastly benefit to be "taken down a 
notch." One way in which this desirable end was 
occasionally realized was by inveigling some of 
the college students into a spelling match with the 
children of the "district" school, which would be 
held in the old red brick Academy on Frida,y 
afternoon or night. We always "downed" tliemin 
these contests, for, whatever superiority they might 
possess over us in all the other elements of an edu- 
cation, some of us knew Webster's and McGuffey's 
spellers by heart, and were simply invincible. How 
we would gloat over their discomhture when some 

tall six-footer from the Junior class would go 

17 ( 257 ) 



258 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

down on a huge polysyllable, which would be fair- 
ly caught out of his mouth by a barefooted little 
''shaver" of ten or twelve, and spelled with a rap- 
idity and ease that showed it to be almost a me- 
chanical process with him. When, after an ab- 
sence of several years, I returned to enter college, 
1 found that this custom had been abandoned, and 
that the students had but little intercourse with 
the pupils of the public schools. Whether this 
was because the former had learned caution from 
past experiences, or because the latter had degen- 
erated in spirit and ambition, I do not venture to 
say. 

As a college student I was, of course, thrown in- 
to closest relations with those who, like myself, 
were preparing for the ministry, and I find the 
memories of the associations gathering about this 
calling coming back most freshly to my mind. 
With one fact, as I look back upon those days, I 
am deeply impressed, namely, the uniform respect 
with which these theological striplings were treat- 
ed by the kind people of Eureka and vicinity. In 
some colleges the students of theology are looked 
down upon by their fellow-students and the citi- 
zens of the community. If not openly shown, 
there is yet a latent feeling of disrespect toward 
them, as though their peculiar calling were less 
manly than others. But the very atmosphere of 
Eureka always seemed to envelop the young 



BEMINISCENCE8. 259 

preacher with kindly influences which gave him 
most pleasing visions of the vocation upon which 
he was entering. Most of the ministerial students 
were poor boys, who had to make their way 
through college by the most arduous toil and the 
severest self-denial. As soon as he could muster 
up courage to stand before a congregation, the can- 
didate for the ministry would begin to "practice" 
on some of the village or country churches in the 
vicinity, and if he proved to be at all acceptable 
as a speaker, he would soon find churches that 
would pay him a few dollars a visit. The writer 
recalls vividly the pride with which he returned 
from preaching his first sermon, carrying in his 
pocket a five dollar bill, and in his heart the mem- 
ory of many kind words of encouragement, which 
to him were better than gold or silver. To some 
of us who used regularlj^ to administer our very 
crude ideas to these long-suffering churches, it now 
seems wonderful with what tenacity the churches 
around Eureka have held on to life. Some of them 
even grew under the labors of these raw young 
preachers, and very few, if any, actuall}^ died un- 
der the infliction. Among the churches which 
will always be held in grateful remembrance by 
the preachers educated at Eureka, for their gener- 
ous financial assistance, kindly forbearance and 
thoughtful sympathy, should be prominently men- 
tioned Mount Zion, Secor, Versailles, White Oak 



260 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

Grove, Pontiac, Flanagan, Saunemin, and others, 
no doubt, that will occur to the mind of many an 
old student. The writer remembers one young 
preacher who, for nearly a year, visited regularly 
two of these churches, wearing a suit of clothes 
which he had entirely outgrown, and which were 
patched in so many pla.ces as to reveal a dis- 
astrously low state of finances on his part ; yet 
he never heard an unkind or criticising word 
from any person at his expense. Their sym- 
pathy was so real that it could be felt, and 
was unspeakably helpful to him. Of course, 
there were some candidates for the ministry who 
were not very highly esteemed in the com- 
munity and college, and whose services were not 
welcomed by the churches ; but these were, in the 
main, young men who had no true conception of 
the dignity of the gospel ministry, and were aspir- 
ing to it merely for a little cheap glory, or to se- 
cure, as they supposed, an easy mode of living. 
They usually found out their mistake very soon, 
and either left school or, at least, gave up their 
purpose of preaching. With rare "exceptions the 
earnest young man, ^vhose heart was set on the 
work of preaching Christ, whether his talents were 
ordinary or extraordinary, found a welcome place 
in the esteem of the people and in the pulpits of 
the churches. 

It will readily be understood that the student 



BEMINISCENGES. 261 

who bad regular preaching appointments to fill 
was under the necessity of working hard, if he suc- 
ceeded in keeping up his studies and giving satis- 
faction to the churches for which he spoke on 
Lord's days. At the close of a hard week's work, 
ending, perhaps, with an oration or debate in one 
of the societies, which had required all his extra 
time during the preceding days of the week, he 
had to start for his appointment on Saturday, pre- 
paring his sermons for the next day while on the 
train, or after arriving at his destination. If he 
drove to his appointment, the buggy became his 
study, and he would lind himself audibly thinking 
out his discourse, as he followed the winding tim- 
ber road, or pursued the straight and uninteresting 
lane that followed tlie section lines across the 
broad prairies. Returning, weary from his jour- 
ney, often not till Monday afternoon, he must then 
make up his Monday lessons, and prepare for his 
classes on the following day. It was good dis- 
cipline, though, and helped to train many of us 
for the experience we have had to face in the act- 
ive ministry of this busy age, when a man must be 
able to do two days' work in one, and to keep it 
up indefinitely. 

These young preachers had their fun, too, even 
when it was at their own expense. One of the 
writer's classmates, whose name would be familiar 
to most of our readers, had such an experience, 



262 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

over which he yet enjoys a hearty laugh. Preach- 
ing in a close and intensely heated school-house, 
not a hundred miles from Eureka, he was greatly 
annoyed by observing a young lady on the front 
seat sound asleep, and attracting attention from a 
large portion of the audience by the comical mo- 
tions of her head, as it fell forward and backward 
and from side to side, at frequent intervals. De- 
termined to win the attention of the congregation 
at all hazards, he increased the volume of his voice 
and the vigor of his gestures, and concluded an 
animated period by bringing his foot down upon 
the floor with a resounding stamp, when the "sleep- 
ing beauty" sprang from her seat with a cry of 
alarm which destroyed all the solemnity of the 
service, and forced the preacher to end his dis- 
course without the usual conclusion and exhorta- 
tion, since he found himself unable to restrain his 
own laughter, or that of the congregation. 

Ah, those happy days ! How the heart thrills as 
it recalls the buoyant spirit that filled our breasts, 
and the pleasing visions that flitted before our 
imaginations. Life has proved to be more of a 
task than we anticipated, and not all of the bright 
dreams have been realized ; but we have found 
much of compensation, nevertheless, in the truer 
ideal of life that has come to us, as we have 
learned at the feet of the dear Master the lesson of 
loving self-sacrifice and service. And we are sure 



BEMINISCEN'CES. 263 

that at least the alphabet of this lesson was learn- 
ed from the lips of our beloved Alma Mater. 

W. F. RlCHAKDSON. 

De7iver, Colo., June 20, 1893. 



STOKY OF A NEWSPAPER MAN. 

In the beginning — but this is not a Scripture les- 
son, nor am I one of the evangelists of Eureka 
College, except in an indirect sense. Moreover, it 
is perhaps better to leave the story of the begin- 
ning of Walnut Grove Academy to one of the 
really old students ; for, though my recollection of 
this educational movement runs back over forty 
years — to 1852, in fact — my actual connection 
with it began in 1863, and it was in June of 1893 
that I had the pleasure of attending a reunion of 
the alumni of the college on what hapj)ened to be 
the quarter-centennial anniversary of my gradua- 
tion, coincident, likewise, with the celebration of 
the quadro-centennial anniversary of the new 
world's discovery. 

Looked at in that broad verbal way, Eureka Col- 
lege takes on a most venerable seeming; for quar- 
ter-centennial and quadro-centennial, literally, are 
not far apart. To one who has passed the half- 
century post on life's journey, a hundred years 
seem all too short for the needs of knowledge-get- 
ting and character-building, and one can begin 
to understand how, in the sight of the ever-living 

(264) 



REMINISCENCES. 265 

God, "one day is as a thousand years, and a 
thousand years as one day." 

Therefore it is, that, in the wide view, there is 
not niucli difference between one quarter of a cen- 
tury and sixteen of them ; for, after all, time is 
measured by things accomplished, because accom- 
plishment is the stuff of which history is made. 
Savage nations have existed for thousands of 
years, but have made no history because they have 
done nothing in race advancement. 

In that view, again, Eurska College stretches 
far into the world's past ; for the third of a century 
which has elapsed since Elijah Dickinson received, 
in 1860, the first diploma issued by it, has witness- 
ed the doing of more things by man for man than 
any full century which preceded it, and for the 
doing of them the dear Alma Mater has borne her 
share in the preparation. 

On the material side — and material development 
is always a step toward the spiritual — immense 
strides have been made. The utilization of elec- 
tricity to supply human needs, which now holds 
such a conspicuous position in every-day life, is 
practically comprised within that span, telegraphy 
alone ante-dating it. The telephone, the phono- 
graph, the telautograph, the electric lamp, the 
electric motor, electric ovens, electro-cautery, and 
other helpful inventions of the sort, were unknown, 
and mostly undreamed of, when Elijah Dickinson 



266 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

reached that part in the curriculum scheduled in 
the catalogue under the head, "Electricity and 
Magnetism" — a brief treatise, made little of, as an 
insignificant province in the realm of physics. 

In like manner, remarliable advancement has 
been made in other material lines. Labor-saving 
machinery has, in almost every department of hu- 
man endeavor, lifted some of the crushing burdens 
from toil and shortened the hours of labor, while 
cheajpening the cost of life's necessaries. Antisep- 
tic surgery, improved surgical appliances, and a 
wider knowledge of hygiene and materia niedica, 
have lengthened the span of life. In short, we are 
better housed, better clothed, better nourished and 
lono;er-lived than our fathers, because we know 
more of the laws of life and death, and take great- 
er precautions to obey them. If we could but 
know all of them perfectly and obey them implic- 
itly, we might bid defiance to death. 

Nor is it only on the material side that we have 
advanced in the last thirty years. The world has 
learned many lessons in justice and in humanity. 
Three great nations — the United States, Russia 
and Brazil — have stricken the shackles from the 
limbs of their slaves, and have declared that none 
but free men shall henceforth dwell within their 
borders. Thus did Christianity assert its power 
alike in a despotism, a constitutional monarchy 
and a republic. The first two were allowed to put 



BEMINISCENCE8. 267 

away their sin in peace ; but with us, because we 
had been living a lie before the world, declaring 
freedom inaleniable while aleniating it, a blood 
atonement was exacted, and a half million lives — 
not witting the truth, perhaps, in most cases, but 
none the less really — were offered as a sacrifice on 
the altar in God's temple that we might be purged 
of our sin. It matters not that we of the north did 
not hold slaves, we paltered with the traffic for a 
hundred years, knowing it to be wrong, and the 
Upright Judge pronounced the alternative sentence 
of national repentance and sacrifice or national 
death. 

Having paid the penalty in full measure, we 
stand before the Christian world, within whose 
borders the sun shines on no slave, purified and 
strong, joined with tlie rest of the Christian world 
in saying : "Neither shall any man. Christian or 
pagan, hold any other man in bondage." 

In these same years republicanism has conquer- 
ed the western hemisphere, and no crowned head 
now rules at any new-v/orld capital ; the Hag of 
peace has been displayed in Rome, the breeding 
place of war; international arbitration has been 
accepted and put in practice by the two greatest 
nations in existence, and the time is hastening 
apace when the doors of the temple of Janus shall 
be closed forever. 

But the record of material and moral progress 



268 HISTOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

since the foundation of the lirst Eureka College 
building was laid, does not set the full bounds to 
the world's advancement. The sweet flower of re- 
ligion has been unfolding its petals, one by one, 
revealing beauties unsuspected in that day when 
the horrible was held before the Christian view, 
and holy men saw infants in hell not a span long. 
Travel and reading have broadened our vision ; 
contact with the members of other Christian 
sects than ours, and with the exponents of other 
religions than ours, have taught us that the es- 
sentials of 'the code of ethics are everywhere sub- 
stantially the same ; that the differences in re- 
ligions are chiefly racial and social ; and we are 
beginning to get a glimmer of the fact that, in all 
ages and to all peoples God has revealed himself in 
such form as best suited the time and the condition 
of the people to whom the revealment came. To 
Abraham, the shepherd, He came as the guide who 
would show him a land rich in pasturage, wherein 
his flocks would increase mightily, and where his 
descendants should make him the head of a great 
nation; to Moses, the deliverer of the enslaved. He 
came as a warrior unconquerable, ready to lead 
the children of Israel out of bondage and to de- 
fend them against any who might oppose them. 
At His last appearing, to a people looking and 
praying for a promised King who should restore 
Israel with a mighty hand and set up anew the 



EEMINISCEXCES. 269 

throne of David, He came as the Prince of Peace, 
promising His faithful followers a kingdom not only 
incomparably more glorious than that of David, 
but one that neither the powers of earth nor hell 
could overthrow in time or eternity. To Buddha, 
the contemplative, He appeared as a teacher of the 
moralities, promising a forward step in each right 
action performed toward final absorption in the 
Godhead. To Mohammed, exemplar to a race of 
predatory nomads, He promised, in return for ab- 
stinence in one direction, indulgence in another, 
less evil. 

Thus to each, according to his needs and capa- 
bilities. To a blind race we may suppose he would 
come as a rushing, mighty wind, to be heard ; to 
a deaf race, as a pillar of fire, to be seen. 

To our forefathers, because they were not easi- 
ly led by the sentiment of love. He came compell- 
ing obedience through fear of everlasting punish- 
ment. 

To us, who look with streaming eyes to Calvary, 
the fires of hell are without significance, Christ 
lifted up, draws us to Him, and the smoke of the 
burning no longer ascends to our sight. 

Knowing then that there is but One God, the 
center toward which all men of good will of all the 
world are traveling, by whatever road, I trust we 
have reached a point where we are glad to grasp 
by the hand and bid God-speed to those whom we 



270 HIS TOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

meet on the upward way ; that we have come to a 
point where we are willing to admit that a Presby- 
terian, a Catholic, or a Buddhist may be saved by 
God's grace. 

This is a long step, and the Parliament of Re- 
ligions, held in Chicago in 1893, has prepared the 
way for another step ; that perhaps the jjlan of 
salvation, the work of the omnipotent, omniscient 
God, is not a failure after all, dooming the vast 
majority of mankind to eternal punishment; that 
perhaps Confucius, and Buddha, and Brahma, and 
Mohammed were prophets of God, commissioned 
to reveal Him, each to his own people, in such 
guise as best suited their characteristics and en- 
vironment. 

In doing this we abate no jot of the faith as it is 
revealed to us and are absolved no tittle from the 
injunction to preach it to all the world. We mere- 
ly recognize them as a part of God's children who 
have not seen the full light, as it has been reveal- 
ed to us. 

For this work I know no branch of the Christian 
church so well equipped in its attitude as ours. 
Unhampered by a formulated creed, made to fit 
conditions which do not exist in missionary lands, 
and which must prove a hindrance to those bound 
by them, our evangelists are prepared to preach 
the Word in its simplicity and beauty.. 

In all this world there is nothing so grand as 



REMINISCENCES. 271 

character ; nothing so inspiring as a lofty ideal, 
and it has been the good fortune of our institution 
of learning to have instructors who taught that the 
end of education is not erudition, but the formation 
of character ; that the aim of scholastic training is 
not to fill the mind with facts, but to enable it to 
evolve principles of action from them. 

It is for that reason that Eureka College, in 
greater measure than any other school with which 
I am acc[uainted, has sent men into the world; 
men in the broadest and best sense ; men controll- 
ed by a clear-cut moral standard ; men who have 
been taught to know the right and to dare to do 
it. S. F. Davidson. 

Chicago, III. 



BRIGHT MEMORIES. 

Mrss Dickinson : 

You have asked me for reminiscences — college 
reminiscences. My heart springs lightly to the 
task and speeds with joyous, winged feet, along 
the backward stretch of vanished years, to bring 
up retrieved treasure for the enrichment of "Our 
College" book. 

Task ? This is no task. It is only a little out- 
ing, on a summer afternoon, to turn away from the 
burden and heat of life's toil-filled present, and 
wander, hand in hand with memory, through the 
elysian fields of youth and gladness, or dream in 
delicious leisure on memory's couch and lay the 
haggard cheek of care against the soft plush lin- 
ing of those dear old days, before we learned that 
life has a coarser, flannel side, that must some 
time chafe our tender, sensitive spirits. What 
sport to try again that rainbow span that bridges 
the vista of fading years and find, at the farther 
end, memory's "pot of gold!" What rare treasures 
are hidden there ! Pictures to grace any page, for 
time is a gracious mordant and has etched into 
this beautiful perspective only such tender lines 
as melt and blend into a tender retrospect. 

(272) 



BEMINISCENCES. 273 

To me, no scene of college life can ever be quite 
common-place because of its beautiful setting, 
some little bit of nature's exquisite carving, which 
goes to make up the artistic ensemble of Eureka 
and her environment. 

The town itself, now taking on the bustling pre- 
tense of a callow city, but then a bright, cleanly 
little village on the banks of Walnut Creek, nes- 
tled in the hollow of its silver crescent, like a star 
floating in the slender shallop of the new moon ; 
its outlying slopes of meadow and farm land, and 
its encircling army of trees, always beautiful, 
whether plumed and helmeted in soft old pinks 
and greens, the ensignia of spring, or trailing red 
banners wrested from the outposts of the advanc- 
ing frosts, or standing like grim sentinels, clad in 
glittering mail, which seem to catch and shiver the 
keen lances of the furious winter. 

With such a store-house from which to draw the 
shining threads, the weaving of a bit of personal 
recollection would be delightful. But, alas for 
human frailty ; memory is a very treacherous line 
with which to drag up history from a receding 
past. That melancholy touch, effacement in the 
past, that is the real charm of retrospect, causes to 
vanish many of the clear-cut lines and incisive ac- 
centuating touches of reality that make the value 
of history. I realize that my memories have felt 
18 



274 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

this tendering, corrosive touch of time. The ruined 
castles of the past are picturesque but treacherous. 
The scenes that were once actually lived out on 
the stage of earnest action have faded into shifting 
panoranias,wliile even the personnel, once so sharp- 
ly silhouetted on the retentive brain of youth, have 
slipped down into the current of years, and now 
their images elude the grasp and break into a con- 
fusion of eddying waves which defy all attempts 
to fix them in pen pictures on these pages. I real- 
ize that now, if never before, one must descend 
from dreams and vain imaginings. We must un- 
harness the muses and saddle the patient little 
burro, that sure-footed but plodding beast that 
stands ready to carry one safely over the dif- 
ficult reaches of literary wanderings. 

Of course, scattered here and there among my 
college memories are strong personalities, with 
loving hearts and kindly eyes, that were photo- 
graphed in such intensely happy lights that they 
sank into the impressionable brain of youth and 
still form indelible vignettes on memory's pages. 
With such an one I played at X, Y, Z, and strove 
for championship in the game of numbers. In 
life's strange processes of transposing and elimina- 
tion, the value of his equation has far exceeded 
mine. Whether the unknown quantity was souls 
to be winnowed for his Master's harvest, or diplo- 
matic honors to be wrested from under "The Star 



BEMINISCENCES. 275 

and Crescent," the result was always the same — 
plus, never minus. 

Another, with whom we measured triangles and 
calculated logarithms, seems to have reached re- 
nown by logarithmic methods, while his class- 
mates — plodders — have lumbered on by slower 
steps. 

There was the sweet girl friend with whom I 
spent so many hours in the luxurious shade on the 
old campus, while we made bold attempts upon 
the intricacies of Virgil and Horace. The sweep 
of years has carried us wide apart, but I know 
that lullabys have curved her lips into a sweeter 
mold, than when "Arma Yirumque Cano" rippled 
over them like the words of a nun's "paternoster," 
and declensions like "beads" through her waxen 
fingers. And that other — but I hesitate to pene- 
trate farther, with cold, dissecting pen, into the 
sacred domain of friendship. It seems unfair and 
makes one feel akin to that Prince of Boredom — 
the kodak fiend — who steals upon you unawares 
and fixes you yb^'Ci'd?' in postures well enough for 
quiet moments of solitude and privacy, but to be 
handed down into posterity, never. 

Perhaps of all the experiences of a student at 
Eureka, the most enjoyable related to his or her 
connection with one of the literary societies. Of 
the four societies which graced the earlier years of 
Eureka, but one admitted girls. In this one, dear 



276 HIS TOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

old Excelsior, I held my membership throughout 
my college days, and until it ceased to be a so- 
ciety. And of this one alone will this brief retro- 
spect have time to write. 

Living always almost within the shadow of Al- 
ma Mater, my memory fails, at this long range, to 
tix the actual time when mere impressions of Ex- 
celsior became actual experiences, but my most 
vivid recollections, from earliest childhood, of gala 
days in Eureka, were of commencement and Ex- 
celsior's annual exhibitions. 

Excelsior! a name to conjure by in the realm of 
pleasant memories. 

Do you not recall it, in letters of living green, 
above the old brown pulpit of the little white 
church that once stood where now are silent streets 
and the narrow, crowded homes of our loved and 
sainted dead? 

Somewhere, between, above, below the very hap- 
py Latin collocations, "Scientia tenebras 1am- 
pade discutit," and "Bonis artibus gloriam quae- 
ramus," your eyes eagerly sought and lingered 
upon that simple talismanic word, "Excelsior!" 

What wonders it wrought. How its charm ex- 
tended miles away and, like the strange music of 
the "Pied Piper," drew crowds of people, in every 
sort of conveyance, scrubbed, brushed, and in holi- 
day attire, till they tilled the church, and, win- 
dows having been removed, each aperture was 



BEMINISCENGE8. 277 

rapidly filled with a sea of faces, eagerly alert, 
patiently listening, while simple ballads tinkled 
from the queer, old-fashioned, maple-boxed piano, 
and sweet, shy girls read "Tlie Qneen o' the May" 
or original effusions. At last came the ""'"piece de 
resistance'''' of the evening — the "colloquy" — a 
kind of dessert after the solid feast, for which all 
had reserved an ample corner in their innermost 
capacity for enjoyment. 

Simple? Yes, but mawkish, never. Oh, happy, 
laughing, innocent girlhood ! How easy to win 
laurels when love fills the judge's seat. It was 
our girls who sang or read, looking as fresh and 
fragrant as the rosebuds in their hair. It was our 
girls who searched garret and closet for quaint 
dresses, indescribable bonnets and ridiculous 
reticule, which formed the only stage effects per- 
mitted in that sacred place. It was our mothers, 
whose toil hardened fingers sought to regain their 
cunning, and patted and coaxed and stacked and 
powdered refractory locks, till miniatures of them- 
selves, when, southern belles, they dispensed the 
hospitality of the Old Dominion, or the happy 
Blue Grass region. 

This in the evolution of the histrionic art in 
Eureka was the very earliest period, and it is by 
no means to be supposed that the development 
and higher demands of public taste were not satis- 
factorily met by the briglit, ambitious girls who 



278 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

felt upon their tender hearts the burden of keep- 
ing up the dignity of Excelsior. The colloquy 
developed from what at first was not much more 
than comic dialogue into real drama, and that at 
length became classic drama. The enthusiam 
with which we threw ourselves into the study of 
mythology made abiding impressions of Greek 
and Latin deities and heroes, which years of sub- 
sequent reading have scarcely deepened. Many 
the earnest conferences held, diligent the research, 
and cunning the ingenuity displayed to evolve the 
necessary costumes from the rather scanty mate- 
rial to be found in a country village. But no 
Fairy god mother in metamorphosis of Ashenputet 
into the splendid princess ever put such base 
material to such noble uses. After a wave of the 
magic wand, which somehow youth ahvays pos- 
sesses, anything was forthcoming, from the classic 
drapery of statuesque Juno, to the purple buskins 
of Venus, or the martial equipment of Minerva. 
The Diana who poised above the Agricultural 
palace in the vanished dream city by the lake 
bathed in a stream of transforming light, was not 
half so wonderful to my maturer vision as was 
our girlhood's interpretation of the divine hun- 
tress, even though, to those " behind the scenes," 
the fluttering drapery, the silver crescent and 
bended bow were wonderfully suggestive of tissue 
paper and tinsel. 



REMINISCENCES. 279 

Nor was classic lore the only bank of deposit 
those girls were providing against a future con- 
tingency. Within the sacred precincts of our 
dear old hall what brave discussions of serious 
questions waxed warm in debate or conversazione. 
Was not every chair and every stiff geometrial 
figure in the familiar carpet historic ground ? For 
on every one of them was not some important 
battle fought, some victory gained, some dismal 
defeat suffered ? 

How often in later years, when lost in wonder 
at the dignity and skill of some old Eureka girl 
in presiding at conventions, handling measures 
and parrying unwelcome questions, have I said, 
she received her first training in Roberts' Rules in 
old Excelsior. 

The dear old hall! how the thought of it opens 
the floodgates of happy memories. 

Has ever sunlight, in recent years, gleamed 
across your pathway half so golden as once sifted 
in at those western windows, through the warp 
and woof of yellow damask ? Every feature of 
that spacious hall seems knit into the very fiber 
of our heartstrings, and when the changes of ad- 
vancing years seemed to demand the settlement of 
the question, "Shall Excelsior disband?" to one 
at least of the defeated minority the prevalence 
of the " ayes " was not only an inglorious Water- 
loo, it was a very Actium, for in the swollen 



280 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

pride of ambitious j^outli this hauling down of the 
old banner was not only surrender^ but fancied 
disgrace. Ella Myers Huffman. 

Prescott, Iowa. 



SOME RECENT REMINISCENCES. 

Being one of the youngest of the children of 
Eureka College, my memories have not yet been 
hallowed by the rare, ecstatic tone of "Auld Lang 
Syne." Reality stands so near that she almost 
deceives me into thinking that I am still respond- 
ing to the summons of the bell, and living the 
monotonous yet ever-varied life of the student. 

But even at this early day my college experi- 
ences are grouping themselves, at their own will, 
and defiantly fade or deepen the colors with which 
I formerly clothed them. 

The "perfectly terrible" ordeals of hair-breadth 
escapes from exposing my ignorance of lessons, 
the smooth sarcasm or cold disgust of professors 
(for which we could conjure no cause), and the 
examinations, with their foretaste of the day of 
Judgment — these things, which we thought could 
never be forgotten, persistently withdraw from 
view, and, like the sun's spots, can only be seen 
with lenses and colored glasses. But memory 
keeps polishing the happy times, the friendships, 
the social gatherings, the walks, the growth of 
ambitions and fair ideals. 

When I entered Eureka College in 1886 I was 

(281) 



282 HISTORY OP EUREKA COLLEGE. 

at the formative age of fifteen, and my tastes and 
character were plastic. 

I spent fonr busy and pleasant years there be- 
fore graduation, and two years after. 

So most truly has my Eureka College experi- 
ence been "the fair seed-time" of ray life. 

My entrance to the school was co-incident with 
the presidency of Dr. Carl Johann, and my whole 
student life seemed tinged with the spirit of inno- 
vation which he brought with him. 

During this time we celebrated the first Arbor 
Day with showers of eloquence which completely 
unnerved several trees and caused premature 
death. But grandly has our Edmund Burke tree 
flourished, which was rapturously cheered and 
exhorted by the poetry of Maud McDonald and the 
fiowery words of T. A. Bdyer. 

During my junior year the Eureka College 
Pegasus spread forth its wings, with R. E. Hier- 
onymus and O. W. Stewart as literary editors. 
AVe also started a successful lecture course, and 
the first oratorical contest was held. 

The class of 1890, consisting of eight of "the 
finest and smartest" boys to be found, and myself, 
were also imbued with this spirit of innovation. 
We it was who unceremoniously were "fired" 
from Prof. Conklin's room one morning over a 
slight altercation concerning a problem in me- 
chanics, who picked up our shattered dignity and 



REMINISCENCES. 283 

withdrew to the chapel, organized our class, 
swooped down on the "Bon Ton Restaurant'' that 
night and took out our spite on oysters. We 
were the first class to deliver a course of lectures 
in chapel, forty-five minutes long (their chief 
glory). We also set the example of wearing class 
colors. But that reminds me of the day when 
the presumptuous Calculus class challenged us to 
a game of base-ball. Of course we had to accept, 
being Seniors who were expected to carry courage 
on our sleeves. I was delegated to bear the 
colors, and when I appeared with them lusty 
cheers and dignified whoops went up from the 
diamond. 

My pride, baloon-like, sought the ether — but 

alas ! short-lived was my triumph. For (But, 

of course, we were pre-eminently an intellectual 
class, rather than athletic). 

My only experience with boarding halls was 
in 1888-89, when Lida's Wood was new. Many 
visions arise with the memory of that year which 
I must restrain. I have never heard that I was 
ever considered anything but a quiet, law-abiding 
student ; but my consciousness is not without 
certain recollections of larks and adventures, 
which, since the time of my graduation is not 
long past, and since I am still a resident of 
Eureka, prudence demands should be kept out 
of print. 



284 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

But as an examj)le of the espi'it de corps^ I will 
mention one incident. My room-mate and I had 
been the recipients of a barrel of nuts and apples 
from home. One evening we invited as large a 
number of girls as the room would accommodate 
to a feast. About bed-time we heard the rav- 
ishing symphonies of a band of serenaders, and 
scampered down stairs "to peep." After awhile 
we returned to the room and hastily retired. But 
immediate developments caused us to arise as 
hastily, only to discover beneath the sheets the 
hulls of the nuts we liad so generously sacrificed. 

Whether this was aii expression of gratitude of 
the girls who had partaken, or the envy of those 
who were not invited, we have never discovered. 

It was at Lida's Wood that we used to com- 
fort those suffering with tooth-ache, measles or 
other prevalent fads, by singing, "Oh, turn you, 
oh, turn you, for why will you die?" 

There also our landlady set aside the hours 
from two to four Sunday afternoons for "medi- 
tation hours," and we took turns fastening each 
other in the closet, deeming the seclusion and 
quiet of that place the most congenial to medita- 
tion. 

An incident of my sophomore year wliicli is 
indelibly stamped in memory, was my first ex- 
perience in teaching. Prof. Herrick, at that 
time Professor of Mathematics, was obliged to be 



BEMINISOENCES. 285 

absent one day, and conferred upon me the honor 
of hearing the Geometry class. I had studied 
it the year before, and by a diligent furbishing 
again mastered the exercise. Being rather timid, 
I took my station in the rear of the room (os- 
tensibly to see better the figures on the board). 
Everything was going smoothly until I called 
upon a noted college dunce for a demonstra- 
tion. To my surprise he started out, but soon 
was in labyrinthian toils. I attempted to help 
him out, and continued until I had given the 
entire demonstration. I was congratulating my- 
self on having made it very plain, when the 
moment my voice died away, he fastened a vacant 
gaze upon me and laconically uttered, ''Mom ?" 
A general explosion followed, and my self- 
possession had gone to the winds. 

These and other oft-remembered experiences are 
only random threads which give light and color. 
But the ground-work of the tapestry of my college 
discipline I have not attempted to portray, nor 
have I sought to separate its closely woven fig- 
ures. 

No spot is so dear to me as Eureka. My hap- 
piest associations cluster about it. In rambles 
about its shady streets and neighboring rustic 
haunts, I have dreamed most pleasant dreams. 
Here is the birth-place and nourishing lap of am- 
bitions and ideals, of happy friendships, of love's 



286 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

sweet dream and blest reality. My class-mates 
and associates are young in after-graduate life. 
Our future is yet to be unfolded. Our hopes and 
aspirations have not burned into cold, gray ashes 
on the hearth-stone of life's experience, but are 
still rainbow-tinted and dew-laden. 

For the sake of our precious Alma Mater may 
all good purposes and high endeavors of her 
children come to bountiful fruition, and in adap- 
tation of Rip Van Winkle's ever-ready toast, 
"May she live long and prosper." 

Ella Seass Stewart. 



MY MEMORIES. 

In tile getting up of a " History of Eureka 
College," I have been offered some space in its 
pages. But what shall I say ? In my memory 
Eureka holds a sacred place. The young men 
and women with whom I was associated there 
will never be forgotten. At the same time, my 
whole life there seems a good deal like a dream 
— a something I have read about in books rather 
than a something I have lived. 

It has now been a third of a century since my 
connection with Eureka College was severed. Into 
that third of a century all the activities of my life 
have been crowded. A great war absorbed all 
my thoughts during the years immediately fol- 
lowing my life at Eureka. It will not seem 
strange, perhajDS, when I say that my college 
life is to me like a distant landscape, its details 
all obliterated. 

Having led a very active life, it is not sur- 
prising that its struggles, successes and failures 
have crowded out of memory the lesser things of 

earlier life. Mine was not an easy lot while in 

(287) 



288 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

college, and while I have no doubt that I enjoyed 
myself as well as the average student, and had 
my share of the fun and of the folly of student 
life, as I remember there is nothing in all of it 
worth writing about. 

But I do remember Prof. Fisher. He was an 
earnest, conscientious, pains-taking teacher, the 
ideal drill-master of preparatory scholars. He 
w^as diffident as a girl, and could blush like one. 
I seldom saw him lose his temper or get dis- 
couraged in his efforts to bring his students for- 
ward in their work. Eureka owes a debt of 
gratitude to one who labored so faithfully for 
the college in the days of its struggles. 

I remember to have assisted in taking care of 
him during a dangerous illness, and found him 
just as patient, just as considerate and uncom- 
plaining in sickness as I had found him in the 
class-room. I do not think he inspired close 
friendships, or impressed his own characteristics, 
upon his students to any great extent, but his 
quiet dignity and his conscientiousness made such 
impressions that long years afterward his students 
delighted to recall them. 

Looking back to my college days, the scene at 
the old meeting-house, when the good people of 
Eureka bade us volunteer boys all good-bye as we 
were about to enter the army, is the one scene so 



BEMINISCENCES. 289 

effectively burned into my memory that it can 
never be obliterated. 

Whenever I think of Eureka, I think of that 
parting, and of the home-coming three years later. 
I also think of sitting down behind an old elm 
tree in the evening of that home-coming, and of 
having a good cry at the thought that it was the 
last of my Eureka life. But these are not rem- 
iniscences of college life ; they are rather the 
memories of meeting and parting. 

J. Haevey Rowell. 
19 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



THE CHURCH AT EUREKA. 

The history of Eureka College would not be 
complete without some account of the church here, 
to serve as a sort of historic background. 

Very many of the early settlers of Walnut 
Grove were members of the Christian Church. 
These soon began to meet regularly for worship, 
first in the several log cabin homes, or in groves, 
or barns, and later, when a schoolhouse had been 
built they met in that. 

On an appointed day in April of 1832, thirteen 
of these met in the house of their preacher, John 
Oatman, and organized the church. These were, 
John Oatman, Nancy Oatman, Daniel Travis, 
Rhoda Travis, Joshua Woosley, Mary Woosley, 
Samuel Arnold, Rebecca Arnold, Eliza Oatman, 
Joseph Oatman, Clement Oatman, Jesse Oatman, 
Hardin Oatman. 

John Oatman was chosen elder, and Daniel 
Travis and Joshua Woosley deacons. All these 
have fallen asleep except one ; Hardin Oatman is 
still living in Missouri. 

In a very short time the membership was more 
than doubled by other Disciples already in the 

(293) 



294 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

community uniting with them. Converts were 
made also, and the numbers increased for several 
years. Then some disturbing influences arose 
that checked the growth for awhile. Meantime 
Elder Oatman moved away, and the church became 
somewhat disorganized. 

During the years 1834, '35, '36, there came into 
the community with their families, William Dav- 
enport, a minister, B. J. Radford, Sr., Ben Major, 
Elijah Dickinson, E. B. Myers and A. M. Myers. 
These had all been active Christians before com- 
ing here, and of course continued active in church 
work. 

About 1836 a partial re-organization of the 
church was made, and Ben Major elected elder. 
In 1837 Elijah Dickinson was also called to the 
eldership, and B. J. Radford, Sr., made one of the 
deacons. 

Revival meetings were held from time to time, 
occasionally in some thick grove, but often on the 
broad threshing-floor of one of the few big barns 
of that time, temporary seats being provided. 
These, of course, were always held in the warm 
season. There was a forenoon and an afternoon 
service, daily, separated by about two hours for 
basket-dinner and recreation. At the close of the 
afternoon service, all returned to their farm homes 
to attend to the chores and prepare for the next 



MIS CELLANE US. 295 

day's services, for there was no town here then, nor 
for a long time after. 

It was not till the summer of 1846 that the 
church felt ready to provide for itself a house of 
worship. Then " The Old Meeting House " was 
built — the first in the community — a frame one, 
facing the west, with two doors in front, and a 
boxed-up black walnut pulpit between them. It 
stood just within the north limit of the cemetery, 
about where the Soldiers' Monument now stands, 
the lot having been given for church and burial 
uses by Elder Ben Major. Happy were those de- 
voted people when at last they had a church house 
of their own, built wholly by their own labor and 
with their own means, earned with difficulty in 
their pioneer poverty. The prevailing spirit of 
the church from the first had been enterprising, 
earnest, devout. Many were the meetings ^for de- 
votion held within those consecrated walls, and 
more than a few were held there to counsel togeth- 
er for devising ways and means for building up an 
institution of learning much better than the com- 
mon school. 

And God's blessing rested upon these. The in- 
stitution was established and developed year by 
year. The church increased more and more. The 
relation between the two was so close that their 
interests were almost identical from the first, and 
they have so continued. 



296 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

Witli passing years other changes came. In 
1856 the T. P. & W. railroad was built through 
and the village was laid out. Soon the congrega- 
tion outgrew the house. Then a new church house 
had to be built, and built down town, and in 1863 
the present brick structure was raised. " The Old 
Meeting House " about which had gathered so 
many sweet and tender memories, was sold, and 
passed to mercantile uses, and at present forms 
part of Vandyke's flour and feed store. The only 
part of it still in church use, so far as I know, is 
the cushioned walnut frame on which the Bible 
rested. This was transferred to the new house, 
and still crowns the pulpit and bears up before the 
people the Word of God. Long may its good ser- 
vice continue. 

The church has grown until it now has about 
850 members, and is prospering numerically and 
spiritually under the fostering care of its minister 
with the following board of officers. 

Elders and Trustees : John Darst, E. W. 
Dickinson, D. R. Howe, C. B. Pickerill, N. B. 
Crawford, G. W. Hootman and W. T. Barnett. 

Deacons : W. S. Allen, D. P. Harber, Jo Ma- 
jor, F. M. Hoyt, J. A. McGuire, F. A. Musick, E. S. 
Cambe, S. W. Hall, F. M. Darst, H. N. Herrick, R. 
E. Hieronymus, W. H. Davis, W. W. Pratz, A. J. 
Mourer and A. W. Smith. 

Deaconesses : Mrs. Barbara Hamilton, Mrs. B. 



MISCELLANE US. 297 

D. Meek, Mrs. Jane C. Davidson, Mrs. W. S. Allen. 

Minister: W. H. Cannon. 

It has again quite outgrown its house of wor- 
ship, and is now considering what it would better 
do in the way of enlargement — whether add to the 
present building, or tear this one down and build 
a larger one. 

It has ever been blessed with good preaching- 
service, but never with what is known as pastoral 
work till the spring of 1868, when A. S. Hayden 
responded to a call to take charge of it. He re- 
mained three years. Then for a while there were 
several short pastorates, with periods of preaching 
only intervening between them. At the beginning 
of 1886, J. G. Waggoner, a graduate of Eureka 
College, was induced to undertake this ministry, 
and has just now, at the beginning of 1894, re- 
signed, and W. H. Cannon, also a graduate of the 
College, has taken up the work. 



AMOS SUTTON HAYDEN. 

This genial, faithful minister of the gospel, was 
born in Youngstown, Ohio, September 17, 1813. 
He was the youngest of eight children, seven of 
whom were sons, and was also the father of eight 
children, seven of whom were sons. From early 
boyhood he was studious, and devoted much of 
his time to reading useful books. Was especially 
fond of religious works. 

His religious convictions were early and deep. 
His parents were members of the Baptist Church, 
and he was brought up in that belief, but was 
never satisfied with the doctrines of that church. 
In his fifteenth year he heard the gospel preached 
by Walter Scott, by whom he was immersed, and 
soon after began to speak in public. In 1832 he 
began to hold protracted meetings. In 1840 he 
located with the church at Collamer, Ohio, as its 
pastor, and in 1850, when Western Reserve Eclectic 
Institute was founded, at Hiram, Ohio, he was 
unanimously elected its Principal. After seven 
years successfully devoted to that work, he resign- 
ed, and returned to his church work in Collamer- 

(298) 



MISCELLANEOUS. 299 

Early in 1868 he accepted a call from the church 
at Eureka, Illinois, where he spent three years in 
earnest, faithful work in the congregation and 
among the college students. He was a man of 
refined nature and of fervent devotion, and his 
influence always and everywhere was excellent. 
He was much beloved for his work's sake. 

In 1871 he again returned to CoUamer, where he 
spent the remaining ten years of his beautiful, 
useful life, ministering to the church with which 
he had lived so long, then entered into his rest. 



JOHN GARLAND WAGGONER. 

The subject of this sketch, so intimately con- 
nected with our religious, missionary and educa- 
tional work in Illinois for more than twenty years, 
was born in Moultrie county, Illinois, about eight 
miles west of Mattoon, April 22, 1844, His father, 
Edward M. Waggoner, of German extraction, was 
born in Rutherford county, North Carolina, and 
with his fathers family, chiefly for tlieir anti-slave- 
ry views, came to Illinois in 1829, settling in Moul- 
trie county, about seven miles south of Sullivan. 
The older Waggoners were active in the war of 
1812, and made enterprising pioneers for the new 
West. Susan Adaline Waggoner, the mother of 
J. G., was the daughter of Mr. Garland Simms, 
another pioneer, from Owen county, Kentucky. 
She died the spring after J. G. was born, and his 
father died a year later. 

Before his father's death, the orphan boy had 
been committed to his aunt, Nancy M. Waggon- 
er. In 1848 she was married to Mr. A. H. Ed- 
wards. In their happy, intelligent, industrious 
home he grew to manhood, in the enjoyment of 

every favor of an own son. Mr. Edwards was well 

(300) 



MISCELLANE OUS. 301 

educated, and early inspired in all his family high 
arid noble purposes for life. His only living son, 
Elder Thomas Edwards, is an able Christian min- 
ister of Gilroy, Cal. 

During his childhood and youth J. G. attended 
the country school in winter and worked with his 
uncle in his tan-yard and on his little farm in sum- 
mer. His early purpose to become a minister of 
the Gospel was ever his ruling purpose. 

In the spring of '64 he formed the acquaintance 
of Elder J. W. Tyler, the father of the well-known 
Christian ministers, B. B. and J. Z Tyler. By 
father Tyler's counsel and the encouragement of 
his uncle Edwards, he entered Eureka College in 
the fall of '64. Want of means made his attend- 
ance somewhat irregular, but, by making fires, saw- 
ing wood, teaching school and preaching, he was 
enabled to graduate in the classical course June 6, 
'72. Three years later Eureka College conferred 
upon him the degree of Master of Arts. 

Bro. Waggoner has been twice married ; the first 
time to Miss Sarah E. Cox, of Mattoon, April 4, 
1867; and the second time to Miss Ann A. Fouke, 
of Shelbyville, Illinois, January 28, 'SQ. He feels 
inexpressible gratitude to God for such faithful, 
noble and true companions, who have shared so 
patiently his burdens, and added so much to his 
success. True, a minister's wife often has the 



"302 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

harder lot, but her reward awaits her at her Mas- 
ter's hand. 

Bro. Waggoner has four living children — Wil- 
liam H., Edward F., Harvey G., and Susan M. — all 
of whom have obeyed the Gospel. 

He was baptized by Elder B. W. Henry, August 
18, 1859. His people generally were Predestina- 
rian Baptists, but his uncle Edwards and wife were 
prominent pioneer Disciples. He began early to 
take some part in prayer-meetings and preached 
his first sermon in the spring of '65. He was for- 
mally ordained by authority of the church at 
Princeton, Illinois, April 16, 1868, Elders George 
McManis and G. W. Mapes officiating. This was 
during his first special work, which lasted but one 
year. Duiing this year he held his first protracted 
meeting, when about fifteen became obedient to the 
faith. 

From 1868 to 1870 he was at Lostant, Illinois, 
preaching and teaching school. He then re-entered 
Eureka College. Before his graduation the church 
at Harristown extended him a unanimous call to 
become its minister. During the following five 
years he served this church, which was about 
doubled in membership, its first young people's 
society was organized and several mission Sunday- 
schools were conducted. 

His health giving way, he resigned, spent two 
months in the Rocky Mountains, and in the fall of 



MIS CELL ANEO US. 303 

'77 was called to preach for the church in Shelby- 
ville, Illinois. Daring the following five years the 
church, notwithstanding many deaths and remov- 
als, about doubled its membership, and all the de- 
partments of the church were greatly strengthened. 
In the fall of '82 his wife's health induced him to 
resign and seek for her a milder climate. After 
ample provision for her in the home of a deaf 
friend in Knoxville, Tenn., he took charge of the 
church at Grreencastle, Ind. After fifteen mouths' 
work here, during which the church prospered, he 
returned to Illinois, locating at Pittsfield. He 
staid here a little less than two years, and in 
January, 1886, he yielded to the call of the church 
in Eureka, where he labored during the following- 
eight years. This last pastorate he regards as the 
most fruitful that he has yet had, although his 
work has been uniformly successful and prosper- 
ous. He regarded the field in Eureka peculiar- 
ly favorable. Its removal from the temptations 
of city life, the intelligence of its citizens, drawn 
together by Eureka's rare educational facilities, 
the large company of young people gathered from 
our best homes, a willingness to work on the part 
of the people, an active and wise official board, 
and good evangelistic help, he regards as chief ele- 
ments in the church's prosperity. During the 
eight years there were about one hundred per- 
sons all the time on regular standing commit- 



304 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

tees ; the Christian Association, the Bible Work- 
ers, the Senior and Junior Christian Endeavor 
Societies were formed ; the two Anxiliary Mis- 
sionary Societies, the Mission Band and the La- 
dies' Aid did their best worl<. ; the Sunday-school 
greatly increased and about 1,035 persons were 
added to the church. January 1st, '94, he resigned 
in Eureka to take up the work in Buffalo, N. 
Y. Besides his regular pastoral and pulpit du- 
ties he found time to foster many public enter- 
prises, beyond the borders of the church, to which 
his brethren called him. He was active in the 
Woodford County Christian Co-operation, serving 
as its chairman, and one of the prime movers in 
organizing the Ninth Congressional District for 
missionary work, and in merging into it the 
county work. 

He was president of the State missionary con- 
vention in '85, and has served as one of its board 
about seven years. In the board he was regu- 
lar at its meetings, and has served about four 
years on the Permanent Fund Committee, and 
seven years on its Students' Aid Committee. 
Since the organization of the Illinois Christian 
Encampment Association, he has been on its 
board, several times president, and always active 
in the preparation of its extensive program. He 
was one of the originators of the Bible Students' 
Aid Fund, one of its most liberal contributors, 



MISCELLANEOUS. 305 

and he solicited in cash and pledges for its use 
more than $6,000. 

He served on the Board of Trustees of Eureka 
College about six years. He has ever been one of 
its warmest friends, and is now president of its 
Alumni Association. To build and equip the Bur- 
gess Memorial Hall, he spent several weeks in the 
lield, securing in cash and pledges about $9,000. 
He was a true brother to every professor and a 
warm friend of all the students. 

He is a life director of the General Christian 
Missionary Convention, attends the annual meetings 
of the board and the convention, frequently serves 
on important committees, and for two years has 
been vice president of the convention. He is a life 
member of the Foreign Christian Missionary Socie- 
ty, and tikes great interest in its work. 

He has served several years on the State Sunday- 
school Board, and acted as president at some of its 
conventions. Hh has been the leading spirit in in- 
augurating and carrying forward Christian Normal 
Sunday-school Studies for teachers and Bible stu- 
dents among the Disciples. 

He is a frequent contributor to our religious 
journals and to local papers. He has written sev- 
eral tracts; "What Must I do to be Save I?" and 
"A Plea for the Soul" having the largest circula- 
tion. 

As a preacher Bro. Waggoner is clear, careful, 

20 



306 HISTOEY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

earnest and practical. Every sermon seems to in- 
spire to better living or a clearer conception of the 
truth. His sermons are fresh without being sen- 
sational. He has held several very successful 
meetings, but has not worked much as an evangel- 
ist, his efforts being rather to keep the church for 
which he labors so full of life and warmth that the 
Lord may add to it daily the saved. In this he 
succeeds. 

As a pastor he is regarded a model. His unusu- 
al freedom from favoritism, his large sympathy 
for the poor and afflicted, his knowledge of the 
temptations of the rich, his high appreciation of 
talent and his patience with ignorance, make him 
at once the trusted companion of all classes and 
ages. He spends much time among his people, 
not as a mere visitor, but as a true friend and 
brother, seeking to know, comfort, inspire and di- 
rect the spiritual life of all for the glory of the 
Lord. 

Bro. Waggoner attributes his success and use- 
fulness, whatever they are, to a happy combina- 
tion of circumstances and influences far beyond 
his own ordering. The piety, industry and 
faith instilled in his childhood, in the home 
where the Lord cast his lot, lie at the foun- 
dation. He feels that he has always had 
the prayers of the church, and tries to live in 
close fellowship with the Father who has so mys- 




1 A. S. Hayden. 3 W. H. Cannon. 

2 J. G. Waggoner. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 307 

teriously guarded, preserved and directed his life. 
The counsel of his brethren of experience and wis- 
dom has been always most welcome and fruitful 
of good. For help and guidance in everything he 
looks to the Lord, believing that to be strong in 
the Lord and in the power of his might is the best 
of all strength. 



WILLIAM H. CANNON. 

W. H. Cannon is of German and Irish ances- 
try, and was born near Pittsfield, 111., August 
1, 1862. He attended the public schools of the 
community until he was eighteen years of age, 
when he entered Eureka College, where he com- 
pleted the classical course in June, 1884. In 
1889 he received from the same institution the 
degree of A. M. He attended the Bible depart- 
ment of Drake University for a little while, but 
lacked one year of graduation. From childhood 
he has had a desire to be a preacher, and his 
work in college had that aim constantly iu view. 
December 31, 1882, he preached his first sermon, 
and was ordained by the church at Eureka in 
June, 1884, Immediately after leaving college he 
located at Sterling, 111. Besides Sterling he has 
had pastorates at lUiopolis, Lincoln, Lexington, 
and now ministers to the church at Eureka. 

In addition to his regular ministerial work he 
has been interested in Sunday-school work, and 
has been a member of the Executive Board of the 
Illinois Christian S. S. Association for four years, 
and is at present Corresponding Secretary and 

Treasurer of that organization. 

(308) 



ELDER H. D. PALMER. 

Henry D. Palmer was a native of South Caro- 
lina, but early in life removed to Tennessee. He 
was a citizen of the latter State at the time of the 
Louisiana Pitrchase^ and went as a volunteer to 
aid in the ceremony of unfurling the national flag 
at New Orleans. 

As a Christian minister, he was an efficient 
worker with the early pioneers of the reformation 
headed by Barton W. Stone and Alexander Camp- 
bell. 

In 1816 he removed to Illinois, locating near 
Vincennes, where he renounced all affiliation with 
American slavery by a formal emancipation of all 
his servants, believing the institution to be one 
of violence, unsupported by Christian principles. 

About 1820 he removed to Indiana, and was a 
citizen of that State until 1835, when he removed 
to Illinois, locating in that portion of Putnam now 
included within the boundaries of Marshall coun- 
ty. In 1847 he represented his county in the con- 
vention called to revise the constitution of the 
State. 

In 1849 he was nominated as one of the original 

(309) 



310 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

trustees of Walnut Grove Academy, but declined 
to accept tlie appointment on account of his ad- 
vanced age. 

More than fifty years of his long life were zeal- 
ously devoted to the work of the Christian minis- 
try. At Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1849, he assisted in 
organizing the first General Christian Missionary 
Society. In 1850 he assisted in organizing the first 
Christian Missionary Society of Illinois, and was 
elected the first president of that body. Many 
young men through his influence were induced to 
enter the Christian ministry. About 1850 he be- 
came acquainted with O. A. Burgess, explained 
to him the gospel of Christ as taught by the pro- 
moters of the Current Reformation, received his 
confession, baptized him, induced him to become 
a Christian preacher, and subsequently to enter 
Bethany College. He died during the first year 
of the great civil war, being eighty-one years old, 
having long been known throughout all the Chris- 
tian Churches of Illinois as " Old Father Palmer.^'' 




MRS. O. A. BURGESS. 



MRS. O. A. BURGESS. 

The journey of life was begun by Nannie J. 
Ledgerwood on a farm in Marshall county, Illinois, 
near the town of Washburn. Her parents were 
James and Polly (Palmer) Ledgerwood. Her na- 
tional descent is English-French, with a trace of 
Scotch and Dutch. She obeyed the Gospel under 
the preaching of Elder John Lindsey in August, 
1852, and immediately after went to Walnut Grove 
and became a member of the church there, and a 
student of the Academy, remaining one session, till 
July, 1853. Was married Oct. 17, 1854, to O A. 
Burgess, and during the more than twenty- seven 
years of their united lives she was his ever- 
sought and safe counselor and devoted help-meet 
in all his efforts to uplift humanity. 

They were living in Indianapolis when the 
Christian Woman's Board of Missions was organ- 
ized, in 1874, with headquarters in that city. She 
was chosen its treasurer at that time, and has been 
prominently connected with that work ever since. 
In October, 1880, she was elected president of the 
Board, but removing to Chicago the following 

spring, she resigned that office. 

(311) 



312 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

After the death of her husband, in 1882, she 
lived with her parents in Forest, Illinois, several 
years. In August, 1884, she was called b}^ the 
Woman's Board of Illinois to be their State presi- 
dent, and was continued in that position till her 
removal to Indianapolis, in December, 1888. 

She was chairman of a deputation sent by the 
Board in January, 1887, to visit its mission on the 
island of Jamaica, to inquire into its condition 
and needs, and to report on all phases of the work 
there. The trip occupied about three months, ten 
weeks having been spent on that luxuriant " Land 
of Springs." The report was published in the 
July number of the Missionary/ Tidings of that 
year. 

Shortly after her return to Indianapolis, in 1888, 
she was elected vice-president of the C. W. B. M., 
and in October, 1890, was promoted to the presi- 
dency, which position she still occupies. 

When the Christian Woman's Board of Missions 
was invited to participate in the Woman's Auxil- 
iary Congress held in connection with the Colum- 
bian Exposition at Chicago, May 15-22, 1893, she 
was unanimously chosen as its representative, 
and by request of the Congress Committee gave a 
concise history of the organization, methods and 
work accomplished by the association. 

She is the founder of Burgess Memorial Hall. 
Her noble husband, following his Master, went 



MIS CELLANEO US. 313 

about doing good while he lived. When called to 
his rest, she nobly sought to build a monument to 
his memory better than bronze, more enduring 
than marble. As college professor and president, 
also as minister of the Gospel, his work was very 
largely among young people, leading them in 
wisdom's way and inspiring them with noblest 
purposes. Therefore it seemed fitting that the 
memorial should be in the interest of education — 
a continuance of his life work. And so, after 
several years of careful consideration as to where 
it would best be built, counseling from time to 
time with a number of her long-time, tried friends, 
Mrs. Burgess decided to make her offering to the 
Board of Trustees of Eureka College. This was 
accepted, the Board agreeing to furnish an equal 
amount for the building. 

Thus we have Burgess Memorial Hall, where 
O. A. Burgess, being dead, yet sjJeaks, by the 
wise action of his devoted Christian wife. May 
the young people gathering year by year within 
its walls be led to emulate the noble life and 
generous deeds of Mrs. Burgess. 



ALUMNI REUNION. 



B. J. RADFORD. 



As the coolness of spring mid the glories of June 

Still lingers to temper its heat; 
As the song of the morning still echoes at noon 

From the depths of some shady retreat ; 
As the breath of a garden o'er wearisome ways 

Comes wafted full many a mile ; 
So memory fragrant of dear olden days, 
In the heart of our noontide still fondly delays, 

All our labor and care to beguile. 

What an Eden indeed was our garden of youth 

As we gathered its fair trees about, 
Plucking flowers of fancy and apples of truth 

Till destiny hustled us out, 
Silly Adams and Eves, to a desolate place 

Of repentance and labor and pains, 
Where we must, in the sweat of both body and face. 
Root up brambles and thorns if we e'er get a place 

Upon which to raise apples or Cains. 

What a queer brood of innocents were we, indeed! 

Not abroad; for the great Held of life, 
With its woodland and plain, with its mountain and mead. 

With its seasons of peace and of strife. 
Was terra incognita, never a whit 

Like the one which our fancy portrayed. 
Where all was romantic and happy and fit. 
Where shadows for contrast would now and then flit. 

But the sunshine persistently stayed. 
(314) 



MISCELLANEOUS. 315 

How we fed on the knowledge that puffeth men up 

Till our sphere became painfully small ; 
How we swigged at the wine in philosophy's cup 

Till we thought we had swallowed it all ! 
Undigested confections of Latin and Greek 

Swelled us out to an alderman's girth, 
And we smile as we think of the whimsical freak 
Of conceit, that in us a most marvelous streak 

Of good luck had o'ertaken the earth. 

The embryo orator, gloomy and grand. 

Incarnation of all that was best 
In Demosthenes, Webster and Burke, graced our band 

With an eloquence never suppressed ; 
For he tackled each theme of religion or state 

With a confidence born of— well, yes; 
Of a large inexp3rience, plenty of prate. 
And a roving phrenologist rubbing his pate 

With a fondly prophetic caress. 

Where now are those tones that were destined to fill 

With their thunders the capitol's dome; 
Whose echoes should waken a virtuous thrill 

From the palace to poverty's home? 
O sad profanation of Mercury's powers! 

Even now, as the summer winds blow, 
With the rustling of corn and the odor of flowers. 
They bring the lost tones of that statesman of ours, — 

Stentorian "Gee!" "Haw!" "Wo-ho!" 

Our philosopher, too; you remember him now. 

With his eye upon vacancy fixed, 
And a skeptical air of importance; for how 

With his genius for getting things mixed,— 
Always looking within for what should be without, 

Finding emptiness reigning supreme,- 
Could he fail to be tangled in mazes of doubt 



316 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

As to God or his wisdom, and loftily scout 
Immortality's hope as a dream. 

Not a secret of all of her intricate plan 

Could nature conceal from his gaze; 
He could trace every step from the monad to man, 

And his hand could unerringly blaze 
Through eternity's wilderness every road 

Evolution had taken or missed, 
And forth in her footsteps he eagerly strode, 
Unearthing of fossils and facts a huge load — 

For philosophy's mill a tough grist. 

But look at him now, after labor-crowned years 

Have sobered ambition's wild pace; 
No affected profundity ever appears 

In the lines of that strong, honest face ; 
And those firmly-set lips never more repeat 

The old vaporing language of doubt; 
For the skeptical pride and the shallow conceit — 
Twin follies with mischief forever replete — 

Like the measles, have worked themselves out. 

And there was our scholar, as pale as a ghost, 

And as pulseless, and sombre, and dread ; 
For so long had he dwelt with the shadow}^ host 

Of earth's mighty and erudite dead. 
That every blood-nurtured passion was gone, 

Even pedantry famished and died, 
And our slow-creeping bookworm in solitude lone. 
By some vermifuge law, had unconsciously grown 

To a chrysalis, withered and dried. 

But a time of reviving the seasons brought round: 
Some rich relative died, as he ought; 

O, physiological secrets profound, 
What a metamorphosis was wrought! 



MISCELLANEOUS. 317 

By the magical breath of that life-giving spring 

The sealed fountains were opened again, 
And out of that shriveled, unpromising thing, 
Came fashion's gay butterfly, now on the wing 

In pleasure's fair summer domain. 

Notwithstanding some poet has rhymingly said 

That along toward the evening of life 
All approaching events cast their shadows ahead, 

'Tis not true of its morning of strife ; 
For our limb of the law had not even the germ 

Of that greatness to which he has grown ; 
But having served out his collegiate term. 

Seeking bread but receiving a stone, 
When the father complained of the job that was done 
In the polishing off of his favorite son, 
The faculty pleaded in learning's behalf, 
"We cast in the gold and there came out this calf." 

But no matter just now who at first was to blame ; 
For he holds a first mortgage on honor and fame; 
He has summoned the future, replevined the past. 
And if cheated of honor and glory at last, 
Will appeal to posterity's court, and compel 
All the present to swear, and reluctantly tell 
The whole truth, that for calibre never before 
Had history known such a wonderful bore. 

Our collegiate blue-stocking never, 'tis plain, 

Could have sprung from terrestrial mud; 
Some etherial essence in every vein 

Took the place of our sin-tainted blood. 
She would breakfast on Bacon— Lord Francis, I mean, — 

While at dinner-time Lamb was her food ; 
She could sup upon Sunset's evanishing scene. 
When a Goldsmith enthroned her romance's fair queen, 

With a crown of the classical Hood. 



318 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

But her heart was as frigid to love's gentle ray, — 
. If indeed such a thing she could boast,^ 
As the heart of a polar-born iceberg, away 

In midwinter Labrador's coast. 
Of the reprobate gods in mythology's list 

She thought Cupid decidedly worst ; 
While men were a sadly inferior grist, 
Who would scarcely have been very grievously missed 

Had they never been made from the first. 

Now search through the coveted tablets of fame, 

Or annals of commoner kind ; 
Not a lingering trace of her spinsterly name 

In the polyglot record you'll find. 
By the magical "presto" of time's hidden art 

The old total depravity's gone ; 
Sincerity carries lost vanity's part; 
Woman's sphere has been found in a motherly heart, - 

Love's proudest and peacefulest throne. 

Our apprentice at high theological art. 

In his resolute struggle with sin. 
Found so much of it lodged in his own wayward heart. 

That it kept him employed within ; 
So finding no time ammunition to glean, 

Nor cartridges make of his own, 
He would load up from Spurgeon, or Beecher, or e'en 
Any well-supplied secular truth magazine, 

When he thought it would never be known. 

But the arduous labor of conning by rote. 

With its great intellectual strain. 
Resulted at last in that dread sore throat. 

Which is ever the clergyman's bane. 
But the practical point, whether physic or law. 

Should receive his illustrious aid, 
He has never decided ; for if he should draw 



MISCELLANEOUS. 319 

His conclusion in favor of one, he foresaw 
That the glory of tother must fade. 

But that old-fashioned fellow who worked his way through, 

Who mended, and stitched and kept bach ; 
Whose clothes looked as if they had never been new, 

And his head like a weather-worn thatch ; 
Who made his own speeches, content with the pay 

Which duty unfailingly brings ; 
Respected his teachers, and studied away ; 
Who was always in class, and was guilty, they say. 

Of a great many other odd things. 

What of him? Well not much, I am bound to confess, 

In the eyes of the sycophant horde, 
Who worship the man in another man's dress 

When it's better than they can afford ; 
But he makes a full hand in the vineyard of God, 

In a steady and every-day gait ; 
And pruning, or dressing, or turning the sod, 
Or sent forth on errands of mercy to plod. 

He is learning to labor and wait. 

But for Simon Pure greatness, or genuine gush, 

Our poet could discount them all. 
And he soared aloft in his young fancy's flush 

Till the world seemed contemptibly small. 
He affected the ways of the learned and great, 

Eccentricities, virtuous or vile ; 
A Shakespearean air and a Byronish gait; 
And the nursery song to the star he'd inflate 

In hyper-Johnsonian style: — 

' Coruscate, glow, and scintillate, O, Gem ! 
Thou macrocosmic jewel in the diadem 
Of umbral-robed, penumbral polonaised queen Night! 
The spectrum-painting, ether-propagated light, 
When on the retina it thrills my optic nerve. 



320 HIS TOBY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

As in thy parabolic or elliptic curve 

Thou sailest through the ultra-empyrean deep, — 

Wakes wide-eyed wonder from her Rip Van Winkle sleep. 

" When Phoebus with his phosphorescent pliotosphere 
Of incandescent hydrogen doth disappear, 
And yield his high cliryselephantine throne to fair queen 

Night, 
Whilst occidental splendors vanish from the sight; 
W^hen haughty exogens with inflorescence crowned, 
And humble endogens low-bending to the ground, 
Receive alike the sacrament of chrisraal dew, 
Whilst pageants of nocturnal glories pass in view, 
Thy luminiferons vibrations kindly show 
Itinerant pedestrians, their way below." 

But he got safely off, somewhat limping and sore, 

From a fall from Parnassian heights, 
And nothing could ever inveigle him more 

To venture such dangerous flights. 
He has harnessed his runaway Pegasus now 

To a cart upon life's rugged way. 
To help on with the burdens that cruelly bow 
Us all down to earth, and he finds that, somehow 

It is better than fancy's wild play. 

Our dandy, who doted on colors and clothes. 

Goes clad in the garments of toil. 
While Rusticus, grown to a pedagogue, loathes 

To be known as a son of the soil. 
Mr. Scapegrace, in folly so hopelessly lost, 

In an orthodox deacon is found ; 
But lament for our Sanctus, whose conscience was tossed 
On the sea of conviction witli foaming waves bossed. 

Till finally ship-wrecked and drowned. 

Time disguises us all for the strange masquerades 
We must enter as life falls to evening shades; 



MISCELLANEOUS. 321 

Raven ringlets and tresses are turning to gray, 

" The silver is tinting the gold ;" 
Earth's beauty and loveliness hasten away, 
And like mortals constructed of commonest clay, 

We are all growing ugly and old. 

But the prophecies going before on us all, 

And our great expectations, were vain 
As the mocking mirages that temptingly fall 

On the vision o'er wide desert plain ; 
For our lives are as full of fantastical change 

As the ill-fated scenes of a dream, 

Till we waken at last to the consciousness strange 

That none of us are what we seem ; 
But are only the parts, without meaning beside. 

Of some infinite, wonderful whole, 
As we mingle, and gleam in the light, and divide, 
Till we fall in the shadow unheeded to hide, 

While the years their kaleidoscope roll. 

But sometime, in the bounds of a new universe, 

From this fateful duality free. 
Which compels every blessing to wed with a curse; 

Where wide as eternity's sea. 
Love is gladly divorced from the termagant hate, 

And pleasure from wan-visaged pain; 
Where Vice never more with Virtue shall mate, 

May we mingle our colors again, , 

Born of Beauty, the glorious bride of the light, 
Of a day that shall never be wedded to night. 
21 



HISTOEICAL SKETCH OF ABINGDON COL- 
LEGE. 

P, H. Murphy and J. C. Reynolds opened a 
school in Abingdon, 111., on the first Monday in 
April, 1853. They called it Abingdon Academy. 
Their purpose from the beginning was to make 
a first-class college of it. They were young men, 
full of zeal and the spirit of Bethany, both having 
sat at the feet of Alexander Campbell. Their 
ambition was high and holy. They earnestly 
desired to do a large thing for the good of human- 
ity and for the glory of God. The school was 
conducted in the Christian Church, a plain frame 
building, until it was chartered and organized as 
Abingdon College. 

The school grew rapidly, soon crowding the 
house and necessitating a third teacher. J." P. 
Roach was engaged, and taught for some time. 
He was a good man and very popular. 

As soon as possible the first college _building, a 
plain three-story brick, was erected at a cost of 
about $10,000, at that time a heavy burden for 
the people who furnished the money. 

The Faculty, when the new building was oc- 

(322) 



MISCELLANEOUS. 223 

cupied, consisted of P. H. Murphy, President ; 
J. C. Reynolds, Professor of Languages ; J, W. 
Butler, Professor of Mathematics ; A. B. Murphy, 
Professor Natural Sciences. 

J. W. Butler and A. B. Murphy were also young 
men and full of the spirit of Bethany, they 
too having been brought up at the feet of Alexan- 
der Camj)bell. 

The firs: graduates of Abingdon College were 
two young ladies, Miss Meron Mahew and Miss 
Fannie Davis. They were good students and 
noble young women. The first class of young 
men receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts were 
five in number: Adoniram Judson Thomson, 
William Decatur Stewart, Christopher Columbus 
Button, Francis Marion Button, and William Grif- 
fin. There were both brains and thorough scholar- 
ship in this class of Christian young men. A. J. 
Thompson is an eminent teacher and a fine preach- 
er of the gospel. W. D. Stewart was an able and 
eloquent preacher. He died of consumption be- 
fore reaching the meridian of life. C. C. Button 
and F. M. Button were both very superior teachers, 
but both fell victims to that fell destroyer, con- 
sumption, after a short, brilliant career, William 
Griffin is both j)i"eacher and teacher, and has filled 
the position of Superintendent of Schools in Han- 
cock county, ni., for many years. A college that 
can turn out such a class as that deserves a better 



324 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

fate than that which overtook Abingdon in after 
years. 

J. C. Reynolds resigned his place in the school 
in 1859, having given six full years of the very 
best of his life to the Institution, A. B. Murphy 
having retired some time before that. Pres, Mur- 
phy died of consumption in the summer of 1860. 
He was loved and honored as a scholar, a teacher, 
an eloquent preacher, and a high-toned Christian 
gentleman. 

J. W. Butler became President after the death 
of P. H. Murphy. Under his administration the 
College prospered until the new buildings, much 
larger and far more costly than the original one, 
had to be added to it, and were fully paid for. 

J. P. Roach died recently in Iowa, and more re- 
cently A. B. Murphy died in Colorado. Both were 
worth}^ Christian men. J. W. Butler still lives, 
and with his son is engaged in the banking busi- 
ness in Fall River, Kansas. J. C. Reynolds is still 
living, and preaching in Callaway county. Mo. 

Of the Alumni of Abingdon College there are 
several worthy of special mention, whom not to 
mention in this connection would be wrong. Geo. 
T. Carpenter, Chancellor of Drake University, Iowa, 
was an honored son of Abingdon College. Death 
lately claimed him also. But his name is an honor 
to his Alma Mater. James Monroe Martin, many 
years President of Hesperian College, California, 



M18GELLANE US. 325 

is an honor to the Institution that trained him for 
his work. So also is Aaron Prince Aten, teacher, 
preacher, poet and Christian gentleman. Judge 
Durham, George E. Dew, J. T. Toof, Samuel P. 
Lucy, J. H. Smart and J. H. Garrison are all grad- 
uates of Abingdon. These all maintain high 
character for piety, learning, ability in the minis- 
try, in literature, and in all that makes a man 
useful to his race. 

Journalism also finds some of its brightest orna- 
ments among the Alumni of Abingdon College. 
J. H. Garrison occupies the highest round as editor 
of " The New Christian Quarterly," and senior 
editor of "The Christian-Evangelist." He is also 
the author of several excellent and popular books. 

Mrs. J. H. Smart, Mrs. J. H. Garrison, Mrs. J. M. 
Martin, Mrs. Judge Durham and other worthy 
women are graduates of Abingdon College. And 
now success and long life to Eureka College, to 
whose Alumni they now belong ! 

J. C. Reynolds. 



ABINGDON COLLEGE AS I SAW IT. 

I am asked for a reminiscence of "Abingdon Col- 
lege as I saw it," Am I becoming old, to be ask- 
ed to pause and look back ? Is J. H. Garrison an 
old-like man ? Is he not now loving and courting 
Lizzie Garrett? Is he not her garrison as to the 
other boys ? Is not J. H. Smart writing letters to 
her sister ? Does he not now write short sentences 
and take the serious side of questions ? 

Who was it that last session, wrote that essay 
on "The White Wire Clothes Line ?" 

Where are Jim Dennis and Rob Heller, who. 
with another boy that loved the girls, made a plot 
to unite the Parthenian and the Philomathian so- 
cieties ? 

Who does not rejoice that it succeeded, the fac- 
ulty and public opinion to the contrary notwith- 
standing ? 

Thought continues to unfold. Men who accord 

or oppose die. Our dear Bro. Capt., who called 

another to the chair to speak against that union, 

has gone. I do not know where some of the others 

are, but the principle of co-education goes on. 

(326) 



MISCELLANEO US. 327 

Only yesterday a request was here from the old, 
staid University of Virginia, for arguments 
and facts which look toward co- education. Are 
the last strongholds of Protestant monkism be- 
ginning to prophesy ? 

Abingdon College was a pioneer in this blessed 
work of reform. Hers was genuine co-education, so- 
cially, religiously and through college work. It was 
accepted as a matter of course in all affairs of the 
school and the town. Some hurt may have come 
from it, but I have known of five times as much 
injury from one of the most conservative female 
schools in the south. 

The man who refuses to masticate food because 
he may bite his tongue deserves to remain lean or 
starve. So of the institutions afraid of co-educa- 
tion. 

I am glad to remember Abingdon College on 
this subject. In this field its work has been ex- 
cellent. It did not hurt Smart, Carson, Garrison, 
Ingels, Lucy, John Moore and Dudly Barber to 
play games, recite and study with the girls, to 
walk with them to the cemetery, take them to the 
lectures and the concerts, read and talk with them; 
it was an educational blessing. 

Did Thompson, Toof, Griffeth and a few other 
"honest fellows" get tangled in their love affairs ? 
There is no better place this side of Heaven to 



328 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

learn to untangle social warp, or unfasten person- 
al kinks, than in college life. 

Yes, that September day in 1867 comes back to 
me. The old building. 40x60, three stories high, 
stood alone. As the assembly bell rang out, 
blooming and bashful, hopeful and manly faces, 
many strange to each other, but all seeking some- 
thing each did not have, began answering its sum- 
mons. How new it all was to me. I wandered 
through the day, listening to some explanations, 
talked with strangers here and there, went to 
Mrs. Crawford's and found board, to the college 
and enrolled. Paid one term's tuition, sixteen 
weeks, $16, and $2 contingent fee. At 7 p. m. an- 
other bell rang, and soon we were assembling in 
the old college chapel. The song was sung. Quiet 
came. A tall, somewhat slender, straight man, 
with dark skin, black eyes and well shaj)ed fore- 
head, and sleek, combed hair, came to the platform. 
That was President Butler, who welcomed us. His 
talk was plain, his tone was tiat, his manner angu- 
lar, but the feeling left was respectful. 

Then came a man of slender stature, young, but 
shoulders drooped, full forehead, dark eyes, black 
hair, broad mouth with a natural smile and a 
pleasant voice. His manner was easy, thoughts 
cheery, and we all felt well. That was Professor 
A. J. Thomson. 

Then came Professor Judge Durham. Plain 



MISCELLANEOUS. 329 

goodness, in looks, speech, style, and college 
work. It is true that afterwards, in primary As- 
tronomy, first period afternoon, he did not always 
keep ns all wide awake, but it did us good to lov^e 
him. 

Then Prof. Lucy, the man whom we afterwards 
found studied teaching as a fine art, appeared be- 
fore us. He was interested in us then, there, and 
always afterward, but, though his love was real, 
he never could get wholly away from the man in 
the mirror. In the home to which he has gone we 
can all indeed be brothers. 

But here is Prof. Linn, brush-heap head, hairy 
face, shaggy eyebrows, thick lips and broad, 
smiling mouth. Of course he told a joke. He 
had not learned the modern humorous reference 
or allusion to introduce a speaker. Most of us 
were like him, from the joking class, so we laugh- 
ed, and when he told his experience in carrying 
his possessions on his back as he came to Abing- 
don College, many boys of that class felt at home, 
and from the frank earnestness of the dear man 
all the others respected him. He has gone ; we 
can see him no more until the great day. I do 
not remember certainly the old students who fol- 
lowed in the short speeches to welcome us green 
ones to this reunion, but think most of them 
were from that large class of 1868. 

But this reunion brings us to another interesting 



330 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

feature of "Abingdon College as I saw it," We 
were introduced ; our hands ^vere cordially grasp- 
ed ; our eyes met with smiles ; our ears heard glad- 
ness and welcome. Our hearts felt warmed ; we 
were loved — we loved. Thus began a student's 
new life at Abingdon College. 

This same kindly spirit continued in class and 
village, in literary society and chapel. It had a 
good influence on students. It could have been 
more finished, more intellectual, if more of the 
students had grown to the higher phases before 
coming there. But this feature, as it was growing 
partly out of co-education and partly out of the 
influence of genial spirits in the early history of 
the school and early settlement of the country, 
increased by the manly ingathering just after 
the war, made a social life which was another 
educational blessing. 

During the years from '67 to '73 the Faculty as 
a body stood before us, not brilliant, not superior 
in natural force, but as plain, honest workmen. 

There was some lack of suggestiveness. They 
sprang but few general questions, they started too 
few inquiries and did not sufficiently awaken the 
spirt of reading and indivildual iiivestigation. 

A higher appreciation of such subjects would 
have much preferred a $30,000 house and $10,000 
to establish and aid in conducting a library to a 
$40,000 house and no library. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 331 

Again, as I saw Abingdon College, neither the 
teaching nor the general conduct of the work was 
vital enough. There was too much form of recita- 
tion and not enough zest in hunting thoughts as 
pioneers hunt foxes. 

I was sometimes thirsty for fresh, clear thought 
from the well-springs of the teacher's own exper- 
ience and original sources of investigation. 

A very happy feature of Abingdon College, 
which in part supplemented this want, was the 
Literary Societies. After very many visits and 
a tolerably wide observation and inquiry as to this 
kind of work, for the facilities afforded, I have 
never known more cheerful and prompt efforts. 
The societies were open, not secret. The rivalry 
was as a rule healthy, not bitter. Nearly all the 
members would take part weekly, not quarterly. 
There was a general expectation that each one 
would, and a fair understanding that he should, 
try to act his part well. There was a union of 
criticism and encouragement rarely excelled. 

Bronson's old Elocution for the whole school the 
last period in the evening of each day, and the 
literary societies on Friday night, made a distinc- 
tive educational Messing. Many hearts will thrill 
with joy, some eyes till with tears, as those scenes 
and days are recalled. 

As we go up the old steps and reach the third 
floor, I see the small man of quick step, the taller 



332 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

one of grace, the stiff, tall man, the low, stocky 
man with long sandy whiskers. There are Ab 
Lovett and John Huston, G-eorge Brokaw and 
George Dew, John Hop wood and Will Garrison. 
There is Sam Hiingate, the artist, returning with 
his present — a portrait of Washington. I see his 
pleased face and hear that broken, short prayer 
the last night we ever passed together. He is 
dead. My first thought on hearing of his death 
was of that last prayer. We all loved him. 

There are the two gentle but self-reliant women, 
Rachel Rose and Mattie Morris, the memory of 
whose patience and works in educating themselves 
has been a continued blessing to others. They 
have left us to unite with God's Alumni. The 
memory of their lives will make others willing to 
follow on. Now from this third Hoor the two hall 
doors open, Newtonia on the south, Philomathian 
on the north. The assembling ones divide, while 
others, T. H. Good-night, Tom Odenweller, Emma 
Crawford, John McClure, Ella Mozier, Bell Price 
and a host more come on until with members and 
visitors the rooms are well filled, and the evening 
work begins. Each meeting left its impress for 
life and eternity. 

To me the most important feature of the school 
was the Religion. I came to Abingdon College a 
member of t!ie Methodist Episcopal Church. The 
spirit of religion with students and teachers was 



RE MINIS CENCE S. 333 

not officious. The yonng man was left to look on 
and hear. Sometimes I would go up to Heading 
College and hear Methodist brethren preach. 
When the debate between President Butler and 
Rev. Smith in Abingdon College chapel came off 
I took pretty fall notes of part of it. So the 
growth went on until Bro. Franklin held the great 
meeting, March, 1869. No one could have met my 
case better than he. He was plain, honest and 
strong. He was manly, and appealed to the law 
and the testimony in such a manner as to make 
all feel that exactly the right thing to do was to 
accept its evidence. 

There was no fawning about the matter, that we 
could take the Word of God if we liked it better 
than what we had; but, here is truth, there is 
tradition; here is liberty, there is bondage; obe- 
dience brings life, refusal is death. 

It had been for years that as I read the Bible it 
seemed immersion was required. I would then go 
to the preacher, or read Watts or Clark or espe- 
cially Rice, and be re-established. 

Then Bible reading would break the rest, and 
the contest would be gone over again. But the 
night Dr. Yonkin walked with me into that old 
chapel baptistry settled the question of baptism. 
The religious training at Abingdon was not so 
well done as many churches and schools have 
since learned to do. It did not take hold of the 



334 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

young people to make them active workers, but 
President Butler's morning lectures called atten- 
tion to the Bible, gave outlines for study, and were 
without question of much value to students, espe- 
cially for the first two or three years of college 
life. They furnished a religious frame-work. 
They gave a religious tone to the school. 

In conclusion, this reminiscence has carried me 
back to the old chapel of '67, with its two rows of 
wooden columns, with its south end platform pul- 
pit, on which President Butler stands giving the 
morning Bible lecture ; it leads us to the second 
story recitation-rooms, where Durham and Linn 
and Lucy meet us to honestly act their parts. It 
leads us to face Professor Thomson in the north- 
west corner on the third floor, to inflect amo while 
boys and girls reflect to each other amabo and ames. 
It has brought us to the public entertainments, even 
to when M. Ingles played "Black Eyed Susan" and 
repeated it the next week; back to the spring-time 
of 1868 when a declaimer, an essayist, and orator 
and a debater were chosen from each of the two 
societies for that notable battle of the senior giants 
to come off" commencement week. It brings us to 
the union of winter and spring, 1869, and we hear 
Bro. Franklin, with his full voice and strong argu- 
ments, followed by the one hundred and twenty- 
five good confessions. 

Years pass. I am in other halls and other 



MISCELLANEOUS. 335 

places, and return to Abingdon in 1872, to find the 
new and the changed, the larger, and, in some 
ways, better affairs. The gentle Aten is here. The 
manly, strong Linn has gone hence. 

We are going to Galesburg to hear John B. 
Gough. We are going, again, to the inter-colle- 
giate contest between representatives of Monmouth, 
Lombard, Knox and Abingdon Colleges. 

Spring is coming. Love and flowers are about 
us ; commencement is here. Seven classics and 
fifteen of the other courses are accounted ready for 
the rostrum. June 3rd, 1873, we said our pieces 
and bowed ourselves out of college into the work- 
ing world. And now I am told that we are Eure- 
kans, that we have found a new mother, that we 
have lost none, but found many noble brothers and 
sisters. 

So let wisdom go on with love and the spirit of 
united work, until all our race have been freed 
from the hand of strange children, and until, as 
President Bacculaureate in 1873, said, "Our sons 
have become as plants grown up in their youth, 
our daughters as corner-stones, polished after the 
similitude of a palace, and we are all a happy peo- 
ple, whose God is the Lord ? 

J. HOPWOOD. 

IfilUgan, Tenn. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF ABINGDON COLLEGE. 

Abingdon College ? Yes, the very name recalls 
many tender memories of the past, and "may my 
right hand forget its cunning, and my tongue 
cleave to the roof of my mouth," if I forget thee, 
O Abingdon ! 

It was in May, in the eventful year of 1865, when 
the sulphurous war-cloud was rolling away, and 
the last sullen roar of cannon and musketry was 
dying in faint echoes in the far Southland, that I 
received my first furlough from the army, during 
a service of four years, and, taking passage on a 
Mississippi River steamer, came up the Father of 
Waters to Quincy, 111., and thence, after a few 
hours' ride by rail, I landed in the town of Abing- 
don. I came unannounced and uur^xpected. I had 
come to visit two of my sisters, whom I had sent 
there to attend the college. I can recall yet some 
of the strange emotions which I felt as I stepped 
upon the platform, a stranger in a strange land, 
among civilians, clad in the uniform of an officer 

of the United States Army. The experience was 

(336) 



JdlSCELLANEOUS. 337 

new to me, and I noted with surprise that there 
were then those, in the great and patriotic State 
of Illinois, who regarded me with a suspicious look 
because of my uniform, and because of the black 
crape around my right arm, worn by order of 
the War Department in honor of the martyred 
President. 

My visit was a short one. Seeing from the 
papers orders concerning the movements of the 
army, I returned to my post before the expiration 
of my furlough. But when, in the following 
August, our regiment was mustered out of service 
in St. Louis, I again visited Abingdon, this time 
in company with a brother. We went by way of 
Springfield, 111., visited the home and grave of 
Lincoln, for whom the nation was mourning, and 
thence, by way of Peoria and Galesburg, to the 
little town which was destined to play so impor- 
tant a part in my life. 

It was vacation, on our arrival, and, of course 
most of the students were away, and the little 
town at first wore a very dull, uninviting aspect 
to one who had just arrived from the exciting 
scenes of the war. I had been there but a few 
weeks, however, when I decided to remain and 
take a course in the college. I had not gone there 
with my mind made up to pursue that course, 
but there was something in the social atmosphere 
of the place, in the friendliness of the people, and 



338 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

in the character of the few teachers and students 
I met, that caused me to make this decision. 
Whether it was wise or unwise, I have never yet 
had occasion to regret it. 

The chain of events that brought me to Abing- 
don College affords a good illustration of how 
our lives are often moulded by apparently trivial 
circumstances. Having been wounded in the 
battle of Pea Ridge, in March, 1862, I was sent 
to Springfield, Mo., for medical treatment. While 
there I was brought in contact with a young man 
who was a soldier in an Illinois regiment, and we 
became intimate friends. On inquiry of him for 
a suitable school somewhere north beyond the 
range of musket and cannon, to which I could 
send my two sisters, he recommended Abingdon 
College, having himself been a student there. 
Thither they were sent, thither I went to visit 
them, and then, to become a student; and there 
I was caught in the current of a religious re- 
form from which I have never made the slight- 
est effort to escape ! How much that minnie 
ball had to do in changing my whole course 
of life, I dare not say ; but it is reasonably 
certain that had my friend in gray aimed his 
musket a little differently my aim in life would 
have been different also. 

There was nothing in the location of Abingdon 
nor in the town itself, to make it especially at- 



MI8CELLANE US. 339 

tractive. It is like a hundred other Illinois towns, 
made up of frame cottages, built on a flat sur- 
face of black soil, with board sidewalks and 
surrounded by a rich farming country. It was 
simply the fact that there was a college there, 
where young men and w^omen had assembled to 
train their minds and hearts for life's duties, that 
made it a place of interest. There was, too, an 
air of sociability, good will and fraternity in 
the community, which, during the three years 
from 1865 to 1868 that I remained there, were 
the characteristic features of Abingdon life. 
The college was a family. The President was 
its head, the professors were its elder brothers, 
and the rest of us were the boys and girls — 
brothers and sisters all. There was no class 
feeling, no high nor low, no social distinctions. 
All occupied the same level, religiously and so- 
cially. The professors were not very learned men^ 
it is true, but they understood fairly well the 
branches they taught, and had ardent love for 
the students, and seemed personally interested in 
the success of each one of them. This is a large 
compensating feature in Western college life. 
There was, as I remember, during my stay at 
Abingdon, no library, no apparatus for illus- 
trating the various sciences, and the old build- 
ing in those days had few facilities for college 
work. And yet, in spite of all these drawbacks, 



340 HISTOBY OF EUBEKA COLLEGE. 

I look back to-day across tlie intervening years 
to the scenes and associations of Abingdon Col- 
loge with the tenderest emotions. The friendship 
which bound teachers and students together, the 
contact of mind with mind in the class-room and 
in our literary societies, and the religious quality 
which dominated all, made it an exceedingly 
healthful and stimulating training-school for 
young men and women. 

The years I spent at Abingdon were full of hard 
mental toil, relieved by few outside diversions. I 
recall, however, a day now and then, in the glad 
spring time, when a few of us went into the woods 
botanizing — some boys, some girls, about an equal 
number of each. We gathered wild tiowers, sang 
snatches of favorite school songs, and sometimes, 
it must be confessed, the conversation dropped in- 
to low, sweet tones — and botany was not the theme. 
And then again, on bright, starry nights, the as- 
tronomy class went out, sometimes, to trace the 
constellations in the heavens. The boys hardly 
ever cared to go alone, the girls could not, and we 
generally went together. What went we out for 
to see ? Not the stars alone, but eyes which shone 
with a warmer glow than far away Orion and Pleia- 
des and Arcturus. The "morning class" with its 
hearty singing, the elocution class, '"running the 
gauntlet," the exhibitions, the discussions in the 
literary societies, the political feeling that ran high 



MISCELLANEOUS. 341 

when young patriots on each side panted to save 
the country, but above all, commencement day, 
with crowded chapel, decorated platform, fair girls 
in white muslin dresses, roses, joyous anthems by 
the chorus, the speeches that laid bare the his- 
tory, condition and needs of the world in general, 
and the American Republic in particular, the vale- 
dictory, the diplomas, the alumni supper, and the 
farewells — how it all comes back to me, especially 
the commencement of '68. O the tuneful bells of 
memory. What sweet melodies they bring to us 
across the chasm of the years. 

If at times I have felt a momentary regret that 
the years spent at Abingdon had not been spent 
in one of our Eastern colleges, I have always on 
reflection, decided tliat I would not exchange what 
I received at Abingdon for all the superior advan- 
tages I could have secured elsewhere. I cannot 
forget that it was at Abingdon that I flrst became 
acquainted with the principles and aims of the 
Reformation, to which I at once gave my heart and 
pledged the services of m}^ life. This change in 
the current of my religious life, I recognize as of 
more value than the knowledge of many sciences. 
Nor can I forget that it was among the daughters 
of Abingdon College that I found one who has 
been the partner of all my toils, my sorrows and 
my joys, and an unceasing inspiration in all my 
work. These two considerations, if there were 



342 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

none other, would always make Abingdon College 
a green place in my memory. In its day and time 
it wrought a good work, and made its impression 
on the life of the world, even though in an hum- 
ble degree. That its period of unity, fraternity 
and prosperity was succeeded by a period of 
division and strife which terminated its existence 
as a separate institution, is a matter of profound 
regret to all of us who cherished the memory of 
its better days. But as an offset to this regret 
we have reason to rejoice that its life and his- 
tory have been blended with those of Eureka 
College, whose adopted children we have all be- 
come. We rejoice, also, in this unification of our 
educational interests in Illinois, and in the 
brightening prospects and increasing power and 
usefulness of our new Alma Mater. 

Tears for the Abingdon College that was ; 
cheers for the Eureka College that is, and bless- 
ings on the heads of the old boys and girls who 
gathered in the halls of the former, more than 
thirty years ago. 

J. H. Garrison. 



THE COLLEGE BELL. 

A. S. FISHER. 

The loyal graduate who went forth from his Alma Mater, dur- 
ing the early sessions of our beloved college, returns to the old 
campus, laden with laurels from the field of adventure, and, re- 
clining upon the green sward, beneath the cooling shade of a 
favorite old tree, hears once more the College Bell. 

That Grand Old Bell suspended there. 
Transmitting calls on waves of air. 
For many years, in " Long ago," 
We honored, as it bade us go 
To Chapel -hour, for prayer and praise. 
Through all along our college days. 
By sending forth its rumbling call, 
For teachers and for students all. 

How joyful were those days, now gone, 
And floating with the current down— 
A-down that stream without an end. 
That parallels eternal trend — 
Those joyful, buoyant, college days, 
Made pleasant by the classic ways 
Of patient teachers, while they sought 
To guide us in the ways of thought; 
To lead us forth in Wisdom's realm. 
To give us compass, chart and helm — 
And thus equipped, to cheer us on 
Toward the distant far beyond. 

That Grand Old Bell— it did us good. 
To hear its rumblings through the wood. 
(343) 



344 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE, 

And now we stand, as daj-s of 3'ore, 
To hear it sounding out onoe more. 

Of college times and youthful ways, 
And of those solemn morning lays. 
There's nought can say so much and loelJ 
To cheer us up as that Old Belh 

Then pull the rope and turn it o'er, 
And let it rumble as before— 
Yes, let it sound — we love it well — 
The rumblings of that Grand Old Bell. 
Kansas City, 3Io. 



TO ALMA MATER. 

B. .1. RADFORD. 

O, Alma Mater, well beloved, thou 
Hast fealty sworn to Beauty, Love and Truth ; 
Hast laid thy hand upon the three-fold cord, 
Religion, Science, Art, not quickly broke. 
To do th}' part in drawing back the race 
From death. We bid thee in this holiest work 
God-speed, and pray thee to thy sacred trust 
Be true; for ever as each child shall take 
Its upward way to that subliiner height. 
Where God meets lofty spirits face to face, 
Another star shall glisten in thy crown. 

The seeds thou sowest shall not ripen all 
In time; nor should thy patient husbandry 
Spend all its strength upon the transient fruits 
That ripe and rot within a season's round. 
To teach thy children how to see and name; 
To gather meaning from an ancient tongue; 
To follow nature's vestiges through all 
Her ancient ways; or give them power against the foes 
Of mortal life, and set them in the way 
Of earthly gain, is but the meaner part 
Of alljthy ministi-y. All earthly light 
Must darken into gloom, and every star 
That blazes in the firmament of time 
Must set; but teach thy children how to shape 
Their course upon the stormy sea of life 
By that pole-star of all the universe — 
The Cynosure of God's Incarnate Truth. 
(345) 



PRESENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

Term expires in June, 1893— Term expires in June, 1896— 
W. S. Allen, Eurelca. S. A. Hoyt, Forrest. 

J. H. Breeden, Summum. Mrs. W. A. Davidson, Eureka. 

J. A. McGuiRE, Eureka. Jo Major, Eureka. 

Elmira J. Dickinson, Eureka. A. P. Cobb, Springfield. 

Term expires in June, 1894— Term expires in June, 1897— 
R. S. Hester, Belle Plain. Mrs. O. A. Burgess, Ind'p's, Ind. 

M. Swan, Bloomington. L. A. Kinnear, Eureka. 

John Darst, Eureka. N. S. Haynes, Englewood. 

R. D. Smith, Eureka. N. B. Crawford, Eureka. 

Term expires in June, 1895— Term expiies in June, 1898— 
H. C. Baird, Eureka. G. A. Miller, Normal. 

W. J. Ford, Chicago. B. F. Maupin, Eureka. 

J. G. Waggoner, Eureka. Thos. Jury, Washburn. 

J. P. Darst, Peoria. Peter Whitmer, Bloomington. 



OFFICERS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES. 

John Darst, President. N. B. Crawford, Vice-President. 

R. D. Smith, Secretary. Geo. W. Darst, Treasurer and Bursar. 



COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD. 
Executive. — 

John Darst, Jo Major, L. A. Kinnear, and N. B. Crawford. 
Finance. — 

J. P. Darst, S. A. Hoyt, J. A. McGuire, N. B. Crawford, H. C. 
Baird, and P. Whitmer. 
Faculty. — 

N. B. Crawford, Jo Major, and J. A. McGuire. 
Library and Apparatus. — 

Miss Elmira J. Dickinson, J. A. McGuire, B. F. Maupin, and 

R. E. HiERONYMUS. 

Auditing. — 

H. C. Baird, B. F. Maupin, and L. A. Kinnear. 
Prudential. — 

W. S. Allen, J. A. McGuire, and R. D. Smith. 
(346.) 



TEACHERS OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 



The following is an alphabetical list of all the teachers em- 
ployed by Walnut Grove Academy and Eureka College from the 
beginning to the present time. The dates after the name indi- 
cate the years in which they taught. One single date indicates 
that the teacher was employed only one year. Two dates thus, 
1860-1870, indicate that the teacher taught from 1860 to 1870 
without interruption. The teachers whose last date is 189-4 are 
still teaching in the College: 



Allen, J. M., 1856-69 and 71-86. 
Atwater, J. M., 1891. 
Blair, D. M., 1874-76. 
Bruner, H. L., 1885-86. 
Bruner, F. M., 1885-89. 
Burgess, O. A., 1855. 
Callender, Geo., 1858-62. 
Chalmers, James, 1887-89. 
Clark, Mollie G., 1861. 
Conklin, R. E., 1888-90 & 92-94. 
Conover, R. A., 1855. 
Coombs, J. v., 1882-84. 
Deweese, B. C. 1889-94. 
Dickinson, E. W., 1876-78. 
Dickinson, Elmira J., 1853-55, 

and 1858-60, and 1867-70. 
Errett, W. S., 1884. 
Everest, H. W., 1863-71 & 77-81. 
Ewing, Jane, 1858. 
Fisher, A. S., 1848-75 & 78-86. 
Fisher, Sarah, 1853. 
Goodspeed, Emma, 1885. 
Hav, O. P., 1869-73. 
Herrick, H. N., 1886-88 & 90-94. 
Hieronymus, R. E., 1889-94. 
Hittle, Laura, 1863. 
Jackson, W. T., 1891-93. 



Johann, Carl, 1876-94. 
Johnson, B. W., 1857-63 & 1866. 
Johnson, R. H., 1860-63. 
Jones, Annie J., 1891-94. 
Jones, Sue E., 1850. 
Kirk, James, 1876-84. 
Laupheare, Sarah, 1860. 
Lindsey, John, 1850-52. 
Loos, C. L., 1856-57. 
Meek, S. E., 1886-88. 
Miller, G. A., 1888-93. 
Minassian, H. A., 1888-93. 
Mitchell, W.T., 1888. 
Myers, M. Josephine, 1857. 
Neville, John H., 1852-57. 
Newcomb, H. 0., 1863-65 and 

1867-70. 
Pearre, S. E., 1857. 
Radford, B. J., 1869-80 & 1883-85 

& 1892-94. 
Robinson, Harriet A., 1866. 
Rowell, J. H., 1855-57 & 1860-64. 
Stickel, Sina A., 1888-91. 
Thompson, M. J., 1884. 
Vawter, S. D., 1894. 
Weston, A. M., 1869-76. 
Youngblood, A. J., 1881-91. 



(347) 



348 



HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 



TEACHERS OF MUSIC. 



Allen, Annie, 1889-90. 
Alvey, Millie, 1889-94. 
Blitz, E. E., 1882-84. 
Bruner, Lettie, 1885. 
Buckley, Mrs. M. E., 1857. 
Depue, John, 1883. 
Franklin, Estelle, 1887-89. 
Gray, John R., 1886. 
Hersey, L. E., 1885-88. 
Hootman, Mrs. G. W., 1888. 
Johnson, Belle, 1863-64 and 66. 
Johnson, Mrs. S. S., 1862. 
Lauder, W. W., 1885-86. 



Mason, Miss O. M., 1865. 
Meek, Miss Julia, 1861. 
Meek, Mrs. S. E., 1887. 
Metcalf.J.AV., 1875-77 and 81-85. 
Miller, Phene, 1867-69. 
Page, Emma J., 1879-81. 
Plowe, E. H., 1871-73 and 74. 
Plowe, Harold, 1884. 
Smith, Sue S., 1858-61. 
Taylor, Ella F., 1878. 
True, Miss E. F., 1855-57. 
Yandervort, Janie, 1889-93. 
Wright, Eva, 1877. 



ART DEPARTMENT. 



Bruner, Lettie, 1884. 
Burrows, May I., 1886. 
Campbell, C. W., 1876. 
Garrett, Sarah J., 1881 and 84- 

86. 
Hatch, Clara J., 1882-84. 



Holder, Sarah E., 1880. 
Major, Cora, 1889-91. 
Minassian, Jessie, 1891-93. 
Naramore, Mattie, 1894. 
Patrick, Latina, 1865. 
Yandervort, Mina, 1887-89. 



COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT. 



Allison, J. T., 1894. 
Buzick, F. M., 1891-93. 
Burnham, F. W., 1891-94. 
Eggert, Belle, 1891-94. 
Hager, Carrie, 1890. 
Hootman, G. W., 1887-94. 



Page, O. J., 1891-93. 
Perry, W. S., 1889-91. 
Reynolds, G. W., 1876. 
Richmond, N. L., 1882-87. 
Sraalley, R. O., 1891. 



NAMES OF THE PRESIDENTS 

IX THE ORDEK IN WHICH THEY SERVED. 



"W. M. Brown, 1855-56. 
C. L. Loos, 1856-58. 
George Callender, 1858-62. 
B. W. Johnson, 1862-63. 
H. W. Everest, 1863-71. 



A. M. Weston, 1871-75. 

B. J. Radford, 1875-77. 
H. W. Everest, 1877-81. 
J. M. Allen, 1881-87. 
Carl Johann, 1887— 



THE ALUMNI. 

The star (*) indicates that the parties graduated in Abingdon 
College, which has been united with Eureka College, they be- 
coming thereby Alumni of the latter institution of learning. 

A. M., means Master of Arts. 

M. A., means Mistress of Arts. 

A. B., means Bachelor of Arts. 

B. S., means Bachelor of Science. 

M. E. L., means Master or Mistress of English Literature. 
B. E. L., means Bachelor of English Literature. 



OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCLITION. 

President, Prof. B. J. Radford. 
Vice-President, O. W. Stewart. 
Secretary, Miss Clara Davidson. 
Treasurer, Pres. Carl Johann. 
The officers are also the Executive Committee. 

1893. 

H. B. Boone, A. B. Student of Medicine, Chicago, 111. 

Zua I. Briggs, B. S., Music Teacher, Eureka, 111. 

Frank Culp, B. S., Student of Medicine, Chicago, 111. 

J. P. Lichtenberger, A. B., Minister, Greenview, 111. 

C. C. Maxwell, B. S., Student of Law, Lincoln, 111. 

J. P. McKnight, A. B., Minister, Harristown, 111. 

W. S. Perry, A. B., Teacher, Cornell, 111. 

F. E. Pope, B. S., Merchant, DuQuoin,Ill. 

J. M. Shepherd, B. S., Banker, Lovington. 111. 

W. W. Sniff, A. B., Minister, Watseka, 111. 

H. W. Wohlgemuth, A. M., Teacher, Washington, 111. 

(349) 



350 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

1892. 

Mabel Atwater, B. S., Prof. Oskaloosa College, Oskaloosa, Iowa. 
J. W. Carpenter, A. B., Minister, Augusta, 111. 
J. R. Crank, A. B., Minister, Iroquois, 111. 
L. F. Davis, A. B., Minister, Nunda, 111. 

W. E. Garrison, A. B., Student in Yale Univ'sitj^ New Haven, Ct. 
J. C. Hall, A. B., Minister, Albion, 111. 
Charles Hamilton, B. S., Medical Student, Chicago, 111. 
Edna Hamilton, A. B., Teacher, Harristown, 111. 
Howard Hamilton, B. S., Medical Student, Chicago, 111. 
Mary S. Hedrick, B. S., Teacher, Taylorville, 111. 
Silas Jones, A. B., Student Harvard University, Cambridge, 
Mass. 

B. B. Melton, A. B., Teacher, St. Joseph, 111. 

R. D. Pope, B. S., Student of Medicine, Washington, D. C. 

L. Mabel Riddle (Carlock), B. S., Peoria, lU.l 

K. C. Ventress, A. B., Minister, LaHarpe, 111, 

W. H. Waggoner, Student Yale University, New Haven, Conn. 

J. C. Watson, A. B., Student Harvard Univ'ty, Cambridge, Mass. 

1891. 
Lizzie Dickirson, B. S., Lawrenceville, 111. 
Ella Ferry, M. A., Teacher, Geneseo, 111. 
Annie J. Jones, M. A., Teacher of Elocution, Eureka, 111. 
W. T. Brownlie, B. S., Merchant, Cherokee, Iowa. 
L. J. Carlock, A. B., Attorney-at-Law, Peoria, 111. 

C. C. Rowlison, A. B., Student Harvard Unv'ty, Cambridge, Mass. 
R. D. Smith, Jr., A. B., Minister, Robinson, 111. 

1890. 

J. M. Allen, Jr., B. S., Merchant, Tollhouse, Cal. 

J. W. Eichinger, A.B., Teacher, Decatur, 111. 

T. W. Mavity, A. B., Minister, Onarga, 111. 

G. A. Miller, A. B., Minister, Covington, Ky. 

W. M. Roberts, A. B., Physician, Macomb, 111. 

O. W. Stewart, A. B., State Evangelist, Eureka, 111. 

Elvira J. Seass (Stewart) A. B., Eureka, 111. 

R. E. Thomas, A. B., Minister, Batavia, 111. 

L. G. Whitmer, B. S., Bank Clerk, Bloomington, 111. 

1889. 
W. W. Chalmers, A. M., Superintendent of Schools, Grand 

Rapids, Mich. 
Thomas Chalmers, A. B., Minister, Port Huron, Mich. 
Andrew B. Chalmers, A. B., Minister, Cleveland, Ohio. 
E. A. Gilliland, A. B., Minister, Lexington, 111. 
R. E. Hieronvmus, A. M., Professor English Literature, Eureka, 

111. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 351 

W. T. Jackson, A. M., Student Harvard University, Cambridge, 

Mass. 
H. A. Minassian, A. M., M. D., Physician, Des Moines, la. 
Maude McDonald, M. A., Teacher, Arthur, 111. 
Mary Musick (Herrick), M. A., Eureka, 111. 
C.T. Radford, B. S., Editor, Eureka, 111. 
I. S. Whitmer, B. S., Bloomington, 111. 

1888. 

Amber, Amsler, M. A., Bloomington, 111. 
T. A. Boyer, A. M , Evangelist, Eureka, 111. 
James Chalmers, Ph. D., Professor Ohio State University, Co- 
lumbus, Ohio. 
C. B. Dabney, A. M., Minister, Mt. Pulaski, 111. 
EffieGepford (Pritchett), M. A., Niantic, 111. 
Minnie Hobbs, A. M., Teacher, Eureka, 111. 
Myra Henderson, M. A., Virden, 111. 

T. H. Haney, A.M., Principal of Schools, Richland Center, Wis. 
N. L. Kiser, B. S., Merchant, Mechanicsburg, 111. ' 

W. T. Mitchell, A. M., Nebraska. 
Carrie McClun, A. M., West Liberty, Iowa. 
Eva McDonald, M. A., Teacher, Arthur, 111. 
J. T. Ogle, A. M., Minister, Cameron, Mo. 
E. A. Riddle, A. M., Deceased. 
Nannie Taylor, M. A., South Omaha, Neb. 
Marcie Waughop, M. A., Teacher, Eureka, 111. 

1887. 

May E. Edwards (Wright), M. A., Denver, Col. 

S. A. Ennefer, A. B., Minister, Toulon, 111. 

J. W. Kern, A. M., Lawyer, Watseka, 111. 

Fannie Lampton (Graver), M. A., Minneapolis, Minn. 

Lucy Major, M. A., Eureka, 111. 

L. 0. McPherson, B. S., Minister, Buffalo, N. Y. 

Mamie H. Richardson (Thrapp), M. A., Gibson City, 111. 

W. G. Smith, B. S., Minister, State Line, Ind. 

J. N. Swartz, A. B., Lawyer, Chicago, 111. 

H. M. Shafer, M. S., Teacher, Lafayette, 111. 

R. F. Thrapp, A. M., Minister, Gibson City, 111. 

C. R. Vandervort, A. M., Principal of Schools, Peoria, 111. 

1886. 

E. V. Aten, A. B., Editor, Houston, Texas. 
R. E. Conklin, A. M., Professor Natural Sciences, Eureka, 111. 
H. N. Herrick, A. M., Professor Eureka College, Eureka, 111. 
L. C. Spooner, A. B., Lawyer, Armourdale, Kan. 



352 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

1885. 

George E. Goodin, A. B., Farmer, Pittsfield, 111. 

Perry B. Hobbs, A. B., Editor, Roanoke, 111. 

Penelope B. Hobbs, M. A., deceased. 

Harry C. Hawk, B. S., Merchant, Bloomington, 111. 

Rosa A. Rhodes, (Btrd), M. A., Mechanicsburg, 111. 

S. D. Vavvter, B. S., Professor of Mathematics, Eureka, 111. 

Cora Ma jor,M. A., Eureka, 111. 

1884. 
W. H. Cannon, A. B., Minister, Eureka, 111. 
W. D. Deweese, A. B., Minister, Buffalo, 111. 
L. D. Plickman, B. S., Clerk in Music Store, Wichita, Kan. 
Anna McClure (Banta), M. A., Eureka, 111. 
Clara B. Roberts (Cannon), M. A., Eureka, 111. 
W. E. Shastid, A. B., Physician, Wichita, Kan. 
*Frank Bruner, B. E. L., Physician, El Paso, Tex. 
*Jessie Bruner (Minassian), M. E. L., Des Moines, Iowa. 
*Minnie Younkin (Hall), M. E. L., Monmouth, 111. 
*H. B. Scheitlin, B. E. L., Bank Cashier, Abingdon, 111. 

1883. 
Maggie Baird (Roberts), M. A., Eureka, 111. 
J. Clarence Lindsey, A. B., Physician, Chicago, 111. 
Ola Moore, M. A., Eureka, 111. 
Emma Neal (Walker), M. A., Springfield, 111. 
Ollie Whitmer (Wilson), M. A., Bloomington, 111. 
♦Fannie Bruner (Jeffrey), M. E. L., Terre Haute, Ind. 
*Anna Givens (Thomas), M. E. L., Oklahoma, 
*Nettie Gallaspie, M. E. L., Beatrice, Neb. 
*T. F. Weaver, B. E. L., Minister, Chatham, III. 
*R. E. Conklin, B. E. L., Professor, Eureka, 111. 
*J, Hopwood, A. M., Pres. Mulligan College. Johnson City, Tenn. 
*J. D. Graham, B. S., Prof, of Telegraphy, State Agricultural Col- 
lege, Manhattan, Kan. 

1882. 
J. D. Dabney, A. M., Minister, Hastings, Neb. 
J. F. Ghormley, A. M., Minister, Bozeman, Mont. 
L. E. Hedrick, A. B., Teacher, Chicago, 111. 
L. C Hickman, B. S., Merchant, Wichita, Kan. 
W. H. Kern. A. B., Minister, St. Louis, Mo. 
J. M. Smoot, A. B., Attorney-at-Law, Kingman, Kan. 

1881. 

Millie Brooks (Smoot), M. A., Kingman, Kan. 

John C Eldridge, A. M., Gainsville, Texas. 

Louis C. de Guibert, A. B., Lawyer, Sioux City, Iowa. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 353 

Ermine L. Huston (Henry), M. A., Ouray, Col. 
E. Grace Moss, M. A., Teacher, Lebanon, Mo. 
Geo. W. Ross, A. B., Minister, Spokane, VVasli. 
Frank G. Willson, A. B., deceased. 
J. Oscar Willson, A. B., Banker, Bloouiington, 111. 

1880. 
John D; Allen, A. B., deceased. 
Anna E. Davidson, M. A., Eureka, 111. 
James H. Gilliland, A. M., Minister, Bloomington, III. 
Metta Hart (Barton), M. A., deceased. 
Minnie Harlan (Eyman), M. A., Galesburg, 111. 
Cora L. Lindsey (Lauder), M. A., Chicago, 111. 
Charity E. Munsell (Davidson), M. A., Eureka, 111. 
Clay C. Price, A. B., Eureka, 111. 

Joseph II. Sutherland, B. S., Minister, Monte Vista, Cal. 
ArabelTrumbo (Megredy,) M. A., Laomi, 111. 
*VV. H. Clark, A. B., Editor of the Argus, Abingdon, 111. 
*J. M. Morris, A. B., Minister, Abingdon, 111. 
*J. B. Campbell, A. B., deceased. 

*H. L. Bruner, A. B., Prof, in Butler University, Irvington, Ind. 
*Llovd Kirkland, B. E. L., Lawyer, Chicago, 111. 
*W. H.Smith, B. E. L. 
*Effle Marshall, M. E. L., Abingdon, 111. 

1879. 
B. O. Aylesworth, X. M., LL. D., Pres. Drake University, Des 

Moines. la. 
John D. Clark, A. B., Editor Enterprise, Mackinaw, III. 
E. O. P'yman, A. B., Banker, Galesburg, 111. 
P. A. Felter, A. B., Farmer. Eureka, 111. 
Clay Willcoxson, B. S., Teacher, New City, 111. 
*Lettie Bruner (Givens), Des Moines, la. 
*Edgar Hawes, B. E. L., deceased. 

1878. 
Harvey O. Breeden, A. M., Minister, Des Moines, la. 
Abner"P. Cobb, A. M., Minister, Springfield, 111. 
George Carlock, A. M., <leceased. 
DeVVitt C. Pixley, A. B., Merchant, Orange, Cal. 
*C. C. Pierce, B. E. L., Minister, Kansas; 
*Henrv C. Cox, A. M., Teacher, Chicago, 111. 
*A. G.' Lucas, A. M. 

1877. 

Sallie M. Carson, M. A., deceased. 

*D. F. Givens, A. B., Manufacturer, Des Moines, Iowa. 
23 



354 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

1876. 

Millard F. Anderson, B. S., Farmer, Colfax, 111. 

Hiram K. Coleson, A. B., Editor, De Funiak Springs, Fla. 

Leora Emerson (Richardson), M. A., Denver, Col. 

Eva Howe (Leeper), M. A., Virginia, 111. 

Orson Q. Oviatt, A. M., Minister, Greenwood, Ind. 

Lovell B. Pickerell, A. B., Minister, Clinton, 111. 

W. Frank Richardson, A. M., Minister, Denver, Col. 

Belle Sharp (Van Volkenburg), M. A., Livermore, Cal. 

George Shirley, A. B., Lawyer, Chicago, 111. 

*H. E. Allen, B. S., Indianapolis, Ind. 

*C. S. Nesbitt, B. S., County Surveyor, Chase Co., Kansas. 

*J. C. Snyder, B. S., Farmer, Constant, Kan. 

*Sadie B. Harris, Mrs., B. S., Burlington, Colo. 

*C. H. Craig, B. S., deceased. 

*D. V. Hampton, B. S., deceased. 

*Lou Bailey, B. S., Teacher, Bryant, 111. 

1875. 

Emma Hodgson (Pickerell), M. A., Clinton, 111. 

Charles Sharp, A. B., Hanford, Cal. 

*J. H. Gilliland, B. S., Minister, Bloomington, 111. 

*J. S. Huey, A. B., Lawyer, Chicago, 111. 

*Myra Patrick (Huey), A. B. Chicago, 111. 

Theda Dodge, (Gill), B. S., McPherson, Kansas. 

*J. B. Ingels, A. B., Physician, Des Moines, Iowa. 

*H. Knappenberger, B. S., Physician, Seiota, 111. 

*Minnie Newcomer (Townley), B. S., Macomb, 111. 

*Ella Rice, B. S. 

*C. Robbins, B. S., Principal Business College, Sedalia, Mo. 

1874. 

Lucinda Carson (Heiss), M. A., Oregon. 
Annabel Clark (Livingston , M. A., deceased. 
Arthur A. Leeper, B. S., Lawyer, Virginia, 111. 
George L. Warlow, B. S., Lawyer, Fresno, Cal. 
*E. C. Bonham, B. S., deceased. 
*W. D. Williams, B. S., Banker, Seguin, Texas. 
*D. S. Harris, B. S., Banker, Burlington, Col. 

1873. 

Georgina Callender (Johann), M. A., Eureka, 111. 
Ammon Coombs, A. B., Druggist, Paxton, 111. 
J. E. Harris, A. M., Minister, Talmage, Neb. 
Janet E. Murray (Darst), M. A., Wataga, 111. 
Charles A. Shirley, B. S., Minister, Chicago, 111. 



Mis cell aneo us. 355 

Geo. R. Shirley, B. S., Lawyer, Chicago, III. 

*D. C. Barber, A. M., Druggist, Denver, 111. 

*J. S. Griffin, A. M., Adamsville, Tenn. 

*J. W. Hopwood, A. M., Teacher, Snowville, Va. 

*M. Ingels, A. M., Sunday-School P^vangelist, Topeka, Kan. 

*J. W. McClure, A. M., Minister, Preston, la. 

*Ada Byram (Morris), B. S., deceased. 

*Carrie Byram, B. S., Abingdon, 111. 

*G. W. Oidfather, B. S., Teacher, Knox Co., 111. 

*A. A. Gingrich, B. S., Lawyer, Toulon, 111. 

*Mrs. Libbie Ingels, B. S., Topeka, Kan. 

*Su8ie Latimer (Vandervoort), B. S., Shenandoah, la. 

*Mollie Scott (Morris), B. S., deceased. 

*G. L. Brokaw, A.M., Minister, State Evangelist, Des Moines, la. 

*C. \V. Domback, B. S., Merchant, Des Moines, Iowa. 

*E. B. Dixon, B. S. Baders, 111. 

*J. W. Moore, B. S., Mound Station, 111. 

*J. W. F. Scott, B. S., deceased. 

*A. H. Turner, B. S., Merchant, Austin, Kan. 

*\V. Taylor, B. S., Summit, 111. 

*C. L. Neall, B. S., Merchant, Rushville, 111. 

1872. 

M. Leona Boggs (Dale), M. A., Delevan, 111. 

Ciiarles W. Campbell, A. B., Topeka, Kan. 

W. H. Crow, A. M., Lawyer, Pittslield, 111. 

Albert VV. Carson, B. S., Physician, Dover, Kan. 

E. J. Hart, A. M., Minister," New Philadelphia, Ohio. 

Edward Litchfield, B. S., Banker, Flanagan, 111. 

T. L. Trowbridge, B. S., Teacher, Wymore, Neb. 

J. (j. Waggoner, A. M., Minister, Buffalo, N. Y. 

J. M. Willard, A. B., Decatur, III. 

*S. B. Campbell, A. B., Teacher, Industry, 111. 

*C. W. Hardesty, B. S., Montana. 

1871. 

John I. Barnett, A. B., Teacher, Hallville, III. 
J. K. Breeden, A. M., Lawyer, Tuucola, 111. 
Clara S. Davidson, M. A., Eureka, III. 
Joel Dunn, B, S., Lawyer, Bement, III. 

Jas. Kirk, A. M., Assistant State Superintendent of Public In- 
struction, Springfield, 111. 
Charles Wilson, B. S., Lawyer, Peoria, 111. 
*Wm. Adcock, B. S., Farmer, Utah. 
*E. Adcock, B. S., Lawyer, Chicago, 111. 
*G. W. At-mstrong, B. "S., Teacher, Kansas City, Mo. 
*J. Boyd, Agent, Sedalia, Mo. 



356 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

*W. H. Berry, B. S., Blandinsville, 111. 

*S. H. Butler, Banker, Fall River, Kan. 

*Emma Crawford (Aten), Owensboro, Ky. 

*F. M. Gideon, B. S., Lawyer, Kokonio, Ind. 

*S. C. Hungate, B. S., deceased. 

*G. W. Hustead, B. S., Fort Madison, Iowa. 

*J. C. Jackson, B. S., Teacher, Iowa. 

*W. H. Kern, B. S., Minister, St. Louis, Mo. 

*W. H. Lovitt, B. S., Music Teacher, Blandinsville, III. 

*T. F. Odenweller, B. S., Pastor, Kellogg, Iowa. 

*George Sharp, B. S., Billings, Mo. 

♦Florence Givens (Hatchett), B. S., Abingdon, III. 

*Nettie Murray, B. S., Morning Sun, Ohio. 

*Anna E. Quinn (Price), B. S., Toulon, III. 

*E. M. Dew, deceased. 

*Mary Stockton, B. S., Augusta, III. 

*J. M. Morris, Minister, Abingdon, III. 

*T. H. Goodnight, Minister, Cameron, III. 

1870. 

O. P. Hay, A. M., Ph. U., Chicago Universitv, Chicago, III. 

Ella M. Myers (Huffman), M. A., Prescott, 111. 

Hattie Orton (Longfellow), M. A., Longmont, Colo. 

*J. H. Bacon, B. S., Farmer, Weaver, Iowa. 

*J. M. Butler, B. S., Teacher, Tennessee. 

*D. C. Chipman, B. S., State's Attorney, Minneapolis, Kan. 

*J. B. Shawgo, B. S., Physician, Quincy, III. 

Emerson Wood, B. S., Napa, Cal. 

1869. 

Cicero Buchanan, A. M. , Lawyer, Evansville, Ind. 
W. T. Cussins, A. B., Lawyer, Decatur, 111. 
E. R. Eldridge, A. M., Lawyer, Chicago, III. 
Geo. W. Sweeney, A. M., Minister, Oakland, Cal. 
*G. E. Dew, A. B., Pastor, Albany, Mo, 
*Emma Veach (Loraar), M. E. L., Abingdon, III, 
*0. J. Beam, B. S., Merchant, Avon, III. 
*J. F. Long, B. S., deceased. 

*A. B. Price, B. S., College Professor, Canton, Mo. 
M. Ingels, B. S., Topeka, Kan. 

1868. 

John Bain, A. B., Minister, Marysville, Kansas. 
Minnie I. Callender, M. A., deceased. 
Emma A. Clark (Crow), M. A., Pittsfield, III. 
H. IT. Dale, A. M., Minister, Delevan, III. 
S, F. Davidson, Editor, Chicago, III. 



MI8CELLANE O US. 357 

Laura F. Fisher (Gibson), M. A., Teacher of Music, Kansas 

City, Mo. 
W. J. Longfellow, B. S., Farmer, Longmont, Colo. 
Maria .J. McCorkle (Poynter), M. A., Albion, Neb. 
Edwin Rogers, A. B., Minister, Mankato, Minn. 
Eliza F. Rodgers, A. B., deceased. 
*A. D. Butler, A. M., Farmer, Napa, Cal. 
*J. W. Carson, A. M., Wakeeney, Kansas. 
*J. H. Garrison, A. M., Minister, Editor Christian-Evangelist, 

St. Louis, Mo. 
*R. E. Hiller, A. M., Lawyer, Topeka, Kans. 
*J. H. Smart, A. M., Minister, Colfax, 111. 
"Lizzie Dodge (Carson), M. E. L., Wakeeney, Kan. 
*Lizzie Garrett (Garrison), M. E. L., St. Louis, Mo. 
*Jennie Hamilton, (Jacobs), M. E. L., West Branch, Wash. 
*Rinda Hamilton (Chesnev), M. E. L., Topeka, Kans. 
*F. G. Johnson (Allen), M. E. L., Santa Rosa, Cal. 
*Mattie Morris (Shawgo), M. E. L., deceased. 
*Ella Mosher (Price), M. E. L., deceased. 
*Rachel R. Rose, (Garrison), M. E. L., deceased. 
* William Garrison, B. S., Sharon, Kansas. 
*A. N. Norris, B. S., deceased 
*R. A. Lovitt, B. S., Lawyer, Salina, Kan. 
*A. N. Miller, B. S., Miller, Roseville, 111. 
*J. T. Toof, B. S., Minister, New Haven, Conn. 

A. E. Thompson, B. S., Pueblo, Colo. 

1867. 
John W. Allen, A. M., Minister, Chicago, 111. 
N. S. Haynes, A. M., Englewood, 111. 
Jennie H.Neville (Campbell), M. A., Topeka, Kansas. 
James H. Nutting, A. B., Minister, Woonsocket, R. I. 
W. A. Poynter, A. B., Farmer, Albion, Neb. 
Eliza F. Rogers, M. A., deceased. 
*S. E. Garrett (Smart), M. E. L., Colfax, 111. 
*G. S. Smith, B. S., Lawyer, Omaha, Neb. 

1866. 

Emma Campbell (Ewing), M. A., Jacksonville, 111. 

W. W. W. Jones, A. M., Supt. Neb. Schools, Lincoln, Neb. 

J. H. McDonald, A. B., Lawyer, Springfield, 111. 

B. J. Radford, A. M., Professor, Eureka, 111. 
Peter Vogel, A. M., Minister, Somerset, Pa. 
Carrie V. Wright (Dixon), M. A., La Hogue, 111. 
*Mary Harris (Thompson), M. E. L., California. 
*W. H. Clark, B. S., Editor, Abingdon, 111. 

*0. P. Nicholas, B. S., San Francisco, Cal. 

*Maggie Thompson (Harris), M. E. L., Macomb, 111. 



358 HISTORY OF EUREKA COLLEGE. 

1865. 
*A. Linn, A. M., deceased. 
*M. N. Parker, B. S., Teacher, Sabetha, Kan. 

1864. 

*S. P. Lucy, A. M., deceased. 

*C. S. Woodmansee, A. B., Mississippi. 

*J. Hyde, B. S., deceased. 

*Bettie Davis (Lucy),M. E. L., Teacher, Wichita, Kansas. 

*Lizzie Lyon (Linn), M. E. L., Hastinos, Neb. 

1863. 

Eli Fisher, A. M., Minister, State p]vangelist, Oregon. 

Belle Johnson, M. A., deceased. 

Leroy Skelton, A. B., Minister, deceased. 

*L. M. Butler (Ground), M. E. L., Monmouth, 111. 

*A. Linn, B. S., deceased. 

1862. 
Samuel K. Hallain, A. M., Minister, Belton, Tex. 
*S. M. Charles, A. M., Aurora, 111. 

*Judge Durham, A. M., College President, Irvington, California. 
*G. H. Laughlin, A. M., Prof, in State Normal School, Kirks- 

ville. Mo. 
*W. S. Ross, A. M., Farmer, Alma, 111. 
*H. A. Coffeen, Editor, Danville, 111. 
*S. P. Harris (Reed), M. E. L., Sheffield, 111. 
*D. S. Ross (Laughlin), M. E. L., Kirksville, Mo. 

1861. 

T. R. Bryan, A. B., Kansas City, Mo. 

W. J. Carpenter, A. M., College President, Colusa, Cal. 

H. D. Clark, A. M., Minister, Mt. Sterling, Ky. 

Mollie G. Clark (Hawk), M. A., Mt. Carroll, 111. 

Sallie J. Davidson (Crawford), M. A., Eureka, 111. 

Rutilia Gillum (Hoyt), M. A., Forrest, III. 

J. F. Davidson, A. M., Lawyer, Hannibal, Mo. 

D. V. B. Hallam, A. B., Merchant, Los Angeles, Cal. 
Nellie R. Jones (Bryan), M. A., Kansas City, Mo. 
A. H. Smith, A. B., Teacher, Eureka, 111. 

J. H. Rowell, A. M., Lawyer, Bloomington, 111. 
Lizzie A.' Waughop (Wilmot), M. A., Sparland, 111. 

1860. 

E. W. Dickinson, A. M., Eureka, 111. 

*A. P. Aten, A. M., Minister, Owensborough, Ky. 



MISCELLANE US. 359 

*J. H. Black, A. M., Farmer, Ridgefield, 111. 

*J. H. Freeman, A. B., Deceased. 

*C. E. Price, A. M., Surgeon U. S. A., Fort Custar, Mont. 

*J. A. Dawson, B. S., deceased. 

*H. C. Maxwell, B. S., deceased. 

*VV. S. Ross, B. «. 

*Fannie Charles, M. E. L., deceased. 

1859. 

*G. T. Carpenter, A. M., deceased. 

*A. M. Coffeen, A. M., Champaign, 111. 

*J. M. Martin, A. M., Santa Rosa, California. 

*A. P. Bennett (Martin), M. E. L., Santa Rosa, California. 

*E. L. Covey (Tickner), M. E. L. 

*M. A. Gaines (Coffeen), M. E. L., Champaign, 111. 

1858. 

*C. C. Button, A. B., deceased. 

*M. F. Button, A. M., deceased. 

*W. F. Griffin, A. M., Carthage, 111. 

*W. D. Steward, A. B., deceased. 

*A. J. Thompson, A. M., Minister, Louisville, Ky. 

*G. H. Field, B. S., Physician, St. Louis, Mo. 

*M. C. Murphv (Hallam"), M. E. L., Galesburg, 111. 

*A. L. Upham"(Wood), M. E. L., Virginia, 111. 

*E. J. Whitman (Durham), M. E. L., Irvington, Cal. 

1857. 

*Fannie Davis (Smith), M. E. L., Abingdon, 111. 
*M. G. Mahew (Lonsdale), M. E. L.. Columbia, Mo. 



HONORARY DEGREES. 

George Callender, A. M., Eureka, 111., 1869. 

Elmira J. Dickinson, M. A., Eureka, 111., 1869. 

O. S. Reed, A. M., Springfield, III., 1869. 

J. B. Crane, A. M., Baltimore, Md., 1872. 

R. C. Norton, A. M., Ash Grove, Mo., 1873. 

Carl Johann, A. M., Eureka, 111., 1879, LL. D., 1887. 

H. W. Everest, LL. D., Irvington, Ind., 1881. 

B. J. Radford, LL. D., Eureka, Ills., 1893, 



